... by Sarah Vowell.
Sarah Vowell covers the puritan roots of the U.S.A. In doing so, she touches on themes that shape America today.
She argues that many American splits, are similar, if not rooted in, to the events that shaped puritan America.
She covers separation of church and state and shows how this was necessary for two reasons; to keep the state out of the church and to keep one church from ruling. The puritans prevented the Catholics or Anglicans from ruling America by demanding separation of Church and State.
She argues that the anti elitism we see today is a logical extension of the puritan church-- which struggled to become not-Catholic, not hierarchical. Where each local church ran itself independently and mistrusted outside experts.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Drowsy Chaperon
This is a decent comedy/musical. It's basically a few good songs, strung together by a thin plot, which it admits to and embraces.
The premise is that a man, puts on a record of an old musical. While he listens to the record, the musical happens in the back ground.
The man adds his commentary to the recording-- pointing out how weak the story is, skipping over bad scenes, repeating interesting points and pausing to explain details about the actors and the production.
The Drowsy Chaperon is good postmodern fun. It doesn't try to be deep or edgy. It just wants to be a lite and entertaining musical. At that it succeeds..
The premise is that a man, puts on a record of an old musical. While he listens to the record, the musical happens in the back ground.
The man adds his commentary to the recording-- pointing out how weak the story is, skipping over bad scenes, repeating interesting points and pausing to explain details about the actors and the production.
The Drowsy Chaperon is good postmodern fun. It doesn't try to be deep or edgy. It just wants to be a lite and entertaining musical. At that it succeeds..
Monday, October 13, 2008
Work Less, Make More by Jennifer White.
This is decent self-help fair. Jennifer White's key insite is to do what you are brilliant at, delegate what you are not and do everything possible to grow.
The rest of the book covers many of the well known "effective" self-help strategies.
The rest of the book covers many of the well known "effective" self-help strategies.
- You are responbile for taking action, for leading yourself.
- Have a plan. You will go no where if you don't.
- Don't waste your time. Cut out TV if it is not renewing you.
- Execute on the plan all the time. Always focusing on that which is most important.
- Delegate the things you are weak at. You need to focus on your strengths. Make sure you train the persion you delegate to, to do the job twice as well as you do.
- Automate as much as you can.
- Duplicate your strengths. Find people who have the same strengths as you and grow those strengths.
White is also in favor of Scheduling to get things done.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Pattern Recognition
Pattern Recognition by William Gibson.
I don't read much fiction and I'm not a big William Gibson fan, so it sounds a bit odd that this is the 3rd book of his that I've read.
That book is fine. The ending isn't the greatest, but the writing is strong and the story leading up to the ending is interesting.
At one point, the lead character says that much of her careeer was built on asking the next obvious question-- just asking it. That's something I could do more of. All to often people will tell me a story. If I retell that story to someone else, they will as questions, there were obvious, but that I never bothered asking.
I don't read much fiction and I'm not a big William Gibson fan, so it sounds a bit odd that this is the 3rd book of his that I've read.
That book is fine. The ending isn't the greatest, but the writing is strong and the story leading up to the ending is interesting.
At one point, the lead character says that much of her careeer was built on asking the next obvious question-- just asking it. That's something I could do more of. All to often people will tell me a story. If I retell that story to someone else, they will as questions, there were obvious, but that I never bothered asking.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ... and The Venture Bros. Season 3.
I didn't really enjoy the latest Indiana Jones. It was ok, full of fun big stunts and special effects. So, why didn't I like it more?
Why? Well, Let me hop on over to the "The Venture Bros." This show is a satire of super and adventure heros. It's schtick, so to speak, is that it takes the glaringly obvious faults hero shows and turns them into major themes. In the episode "The Lepidopterists," evil henchmen 21 & 24 (Who are regular characters) recoginize that the new evil henchmen is going to die, for no other reason that he's the new guy. 21 & 24 spend the episode razzing the new henchmen about his impending death. They know they won't die "It's like we're lead characters in a show." They know the new henchmen is there to advance the plot, to be a target for the good guys and then to die.
Back to Indiana Jones.
There are so many over the top death defying stunts. Too many. The good guys go around, surviving nuclear blasts, sword fighting between moving vehicles in jungle, swinging from tree to tree with vines to catch up to said vehicles or driving off not one, not three, but four water falls. No one but the new henchman that just appeared on the screen ever dies. It's like they know they are lead characters in a show and nothing to bad will ever happen to them because they are the good guys and this moving is going to have a happy ending.
I could hear henchmen 21 & 24 in my head slacking off and insulting the other henchmen.
I didn't really enjoy the latest Indiana Jones. It was ok, full of fun big stunts and special effects. So, why didn't I like it more?
Why? Well, Let me hop on over to the "The Venture Bros." This show is a satire of super and adventure heros. It's schtick, so to speak, is that it takes the glaringly obvious faults hero shows and turns them into major themes. In the episode "The Lepidopterists," evil henchmen 21 & 24 (Who are regular characters) recoginize that the new evil henchmen is going to die, for no other reason that he's the new guy. 21 & 24 spend the episode razzing the new henchmen about his impending death. They know they won't die "It's like we're lead characters in a show." They know the new henchmen is there to advance the plot, to be a target for the good guys and then to die.
Back to Indiana Jones.
There are so many over the top death defying stunts. Too many. The good guys go around, surviving nuclear blasts, sword fighting between moving vehicles in jungle, swinging from tree to tree with vines to catch up to said vehicles or driving off not one, not three, but four water falls. No one but the new henchman that just appeared on the screen ever dies. It's like they know they are lead characters in a show and nothing to bad will ever happen to them because they are the good guys and this moving is going to have a happy ending.
I could hear henchmen 21 & 24 in my head slacking off and insulting the other henchmen.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Now Habit
By Neil Fiore.
I recommend the book.
The book is about dealing with procrastination-- why we procrastinate and how to get past it. It works for me. It still remains to be seen how long I stick to the program, but in the short term, I am getting results.
The key ideas...
1. Schedule your down time. I will leave work at... I will do this fun thing at... I will have lunch at...
2 Reward your self after a period of real work. The reward can be small, like a coffee or a walk. The point is to teach your self to work hard and then get a reward as opposed to rewarding yourself all the time.
3. Think "Start" and not "Finish" Think "When can I start this goal." and not "When does this goal need to be finished.:
The book covers many other topics such as why people procrastinate and how to relax and focus. But the above three ideas where my key takeaways.
I recommend the book.
The book is about dealing with procrastination-- why we procrastinate and how to get past it. It works for me. It still remains to be seen how long I stick to the program, but in the short term, I am getting results.
The key ideas...
1. Schedule your down time. I will leave work at... I will do this fun thing at... I will have lunch at...
2 Reward your self after a period of real work. The reward can be small, like a coffee or a walk. The point is to teach your self to work hard and then get a reward as opposed to rewarding yourself all the time.
3. Think "Start" and not "Finish" Think "When can I start this goal." and not "When does this goal need to be finished.:
The book covers many other topics such as why people procrastinate and how to relax and focus. But the above three ideas where my key takeaways.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Running away from it all...
If I had to run away from it all and could only bring a few things with me, what would they be?
As I go over that list in my mind, I am suprised at how small the list is. I could abandon most of my possesions. I only have them because they are gifts, or tools I once used and thought I may use them again, or things I could use to entertain people.
Now, what do I really love, and really use? The answer stems from a few simple princples.
First, I can tolerate anything as long as I have a good meal every day and a good sleep at night.
Second, this is the internet age. I use my computer to keep in touch with friends, to store all my records, my music and photos.
Third. I enjoy photography.
So what would I take? I start off with some some simple toiletries and clothing,
Next, I would bring along my pots, pans, pressure cooker, mixer, cutlery, bowls and plates.
Third, my laptop.
Fourth my camera and lenses.
Fifth my sleeping bag and a pillow.
Sixth, some clothing.
And that is it.
Every thing but the camera and laptop are necessities. I could go even more minimalist and leave those two behind. But if I did that I'd be leaving something I enjoy. And, that is the point of this list-- to answer what do I need to be happy? Not, what do I need to survive.
As I go over that list in my mind, I am suprised at how small the list is. I could abandon most of my possesions. I only have them because they are gifts, or tools I once used and thought I may use them again, or things I could use to entertain people.
Now, what do I really love, and really use? The answer stems from a few simple princples.
First, I can tolerate anything as long as I have a good meal every day and a good sleep at night.
Second, this is the internet age. I use my computer to keep in touch with friends, to store all my records, my music and photos.
Third. I enjoy photography.
So what would I take? I start off with some some simple toiletries and clothing,
Next, I would bring along my pots, pans, pressure cooker, mixer, cutlery, bowls and plates.
Third, my laptop.
Fourth my camera and lenses.
Fifth my sleeping bag and a pillow.
Sixth, some clothing.
And that is it.
Every thing but the camera and laptop are necessities. I could go even more minimalist and leave those two behind. But if I did that I'd be leaving something I enjoy. And, that is the point of this list-- to answer what do I need to be happy? Not, what do I need to survive.
Beowolf
the 2007 animated version.
This is a good movie. At times the animation is distracting one second everything will look very realistic, the next it will look fake. Some of this has to do with the lighting. It is too perfect. Every nook and cranny is properly lit to establish the right mood. Some of this has to do with the motion-- people just don't move with such grace and perfection.
There is a bit of a controversy around this movie because it diverges from the the true Beowulf story. In this movie Beowulf is flawed in the poem he is a hero. In the movie Beowulf does not kill the Grendel's mother in the poem he does.
I have to agree with the movie makers here. The poem is two or three separate stories-- Beowulf vs Grendel, vs Grendel's mother, vs the dragon. By changing the relationship between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, they make the whole story one cohesive story.
As for making Beowulf flawed-- I like that. The film makers were clearing trying to tell a more adult, more mature version of the story. When you are an adult, pure heros don't exist. Having a perfect Beowulf would have weakened the story.
This is a good movie. At times the animation is distracting one second everything will look very realistic, the next it will look fake. Some of this has to do with the lighting. It is too perfect. Every nook and cranny is properly lit to establish the right mood. Some of this has to do with the motion-- people just don't move with such grace and perfection.
There is a bit of a controversy around this movie because it diverges from the the true Beowulf story. In this movie Beowulf is flawed in the poem he is a hero. In the movie Beowulf does not kill the Grendel's mother in the poem he does.
I have to agree with the movie makers here. The poem is two or three separate stories-- Beowulf vs Grendel, vs Grendel's mother, vs the dragon. By changing the relationship between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, they make the whole story one cohesive story.
As for making Beowulf flawed-- I like that. The film makers were clearing trying to tell a more adult, more mature version of the story. When you are an adult, pure heros don't exist. Having a perfect Beowulf would have weakened the story.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Fear of Looking Forward
I wonder how many people and plans are driven by a fear of looking forward to the future-- the fear that some one will out think you, that reality that you can't fully predict the future and that your best laid plans will be destroyed by Murphies law.
If I am handsome, or pretty or sexy, then I don't need to plan for the future. People will take care of me.
If I prefect this one skill, then I don't need to plan for the future. This skill is timeless and will always be needed.
If I live a primative life and don't want anything, then I don't need to plan for the future. The future will be the same as today and I can handle today.
If I earn a lot of money, then I don't need to plan for the future. The money will bail me out.
If I get married then I don't need to plan for the future. My partner will do that for me.
It's like we try to find insurance for the future as opposed to actually dealing with it.
I know we can't predict the future, or control it. But when I look over the failures of life, there were things I could have done to prevent them-- better planning-- better execution.
Life likes to teach me the same lessons over and over...
Plan Better.
Know what is good enough is-- not perfection, not crap-- and strive for good enough. Perfection takes too much time and often doesn't pay off. Crap is crap and is a waste of time.
Know your interests, your energy level, and what drives you. If your plans tire you out before you finish, then you will never get anywhere.
Yes, you can't predict the future, but you do know many of your future needs and wants. You can, take small daily steps towards those goals.
Keep your eye out for little things that add up to a big goal. It is so much easier to take small regular steps than one big leap. And if you get to same destination either way, then why jump or risk it all?
If I am handsome, or pretty or sexy, then I don't need to plan for the future. People will take care of me.
If I prefect this one skill, then I don't need to plan for the future. This skill is timeless and will always be needed.
If I live a primative life and don't want anything, then I don't need to plan for the future. The future will be the same as today and I can handle today.
If I earn a lot of money, then I don't need to plan for the future. The money will bail me out.
If I get married then I don't need to plan for the future. My partner will do that for me.
It's like we try to find insurance for the future as opposed to actually dealing with it.
I know we can't predict the future, or control it. But when I look over the failures of life, there were things I could have done to prevent them-- better planning-- better execution.
Life likes to teach me the same lessons over and over...
Plan Better.
Know what is good enough is-- not perfection, not crap-- and strive for good enough. Perfection takes too much time and often doesn't pay off. Crap is crap and is a waste of time.
Know your interests, your energy level, and what drives you. If your plans tire you out before you finish, then you will never get anywhere.
Yes, you can't predict the future, but you do know many of your future needs and wants. You can, take small daily steps towards those goals.
Keep your eye out for little things that add up to a big goal. It is so much easier to take small regular steps than one big leap. And if you get to same destination either way, then why jump or risk it all?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
I was very dissapointed by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. It felt more like a demo of expensive effects than a coherent movie. Much of "At World's End" could have been edited out and the result would have been a more compelling.
I think, sometimes directors want to give their movie a sense of magic by creating a world where anything can happen. The problem is that you end up with a world where nothing matters.
Is the heroine in trouble? Don't worry. Anything can happen!
Is the bad guy about to win? It's ok. Anything can happen.
There are so many arbitrary rules and so much random magic-- people dying, comming back life, being cursed and having curses lifted-- that I couldn't care about any predicament. Which is a shame. If they had whittled out the "after life" subplot, the "goddess of the sea" subplot and the "secret pirate meeting" subplot, then what remained could have been a fun pirate story.
I think, sometimes directors want to give their movie a sense of magic by creating a world where anything can happen. The problem is that you end up with a world where nothing matters.
Is the heroine in trouble? Don't worry. Anything can happen!
Is the bad guy about to win? It's ok. Anything can happen.
There are so many arbitrary rules and so much random magic-- people dying, comming back life, being cursed and having curses lifted-- that I couldn't care about any predicament. Which is a shame. If they had whittled out the "after life" subplot, the "goddess of the sea" subplot and the "secret pirate meeting" subplot, then what remained could have been a fun pirate story.
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