Archive for August, 2006
August 29, 2006 at 9:32 am · Filed under Lifestyle
Well, I think we can officially declare summer in Chicago over. Actually, I think it abandoned us in the beginning of August, when I had to start pulling a blanket off the couch during the night. We’ve had a weeks worth of gloom and doom. Plenty of clouds. Rained all yesterday. Cold wind a blow’n. At the first hint of the sun, which should be Thur, I’m heading to the beach to savor what remains.
Here are some snippets.
August 22, 2006 at 12:14 pm · Filed under Tea
Due to recent events, I have found myself in need of the temptations of the Camellia sinensis plant. I packed my haversack and prepared for the journey North upon my dandy horse. The road was arduous and my physical condition deteriorated over time. I constantly found myself avoiding the great four wheeled chariots. Many would ignore my presence and run me to the brink of insanity. After what seemed like days, I reached my destination. I gave a great sigh, and gave praise to the Gods that shined down upon me.
The leaf trader took note of my traveler’s status and showed me to his goods. He proceeded to give me a detail of the wares, yet I was already informed of their nature. The walls were well stocked in variety. Much of his supplies were a combination of blending, but my search was for the raw materials. The trader left me to peruse his inventory, and I inspected the goods. Carefully, I looked over each one and took in its history. The goods came in synthetic polymerizations contained by mass. Upon the bottom, the container gave window to the size and texture of the goods.
After much debate, I made my decision based on process and bargaining. I did not have much to offer in terms of trade, but luckily the trader took monetary compensation. I decided upon the delicacies of the Young Hyson, the Russian Safari, and the Rooibos Sweet Orange. The trader was much impressed with my selection and invited me to come again. He offered samplings upon the end of weeks. I gathered my acquisitions and readied for the long return home. I was much satisfied with the transaction and look forward to the tasting of my recent treasures.
My Place for Tea
August 19, 2006 at 9:15 pm · Filed under Food, Photos
August 18, 2006 at 9:21 am · Filed under News Events
“30 Days is a reality television show on FX Networks, created and hosted by Morgan Spurlock. In each episode, the host (or someone else) will spend 30 days immersing him or herself in a subject (e.g.. working for mininum wage, being in prison, living as a Muslim, etc.) while discussing related social issues. As in Spurlock’s film Super Size Me, there are a number of rules that are followed.”
I only caught two episodes of this last season, and really enjoyed the documentary/format. It looks like the first season is now on DVD, so I’ll have to keep my eyes open at the video store. The second season is currently airing and is up to the 4th episode. I just realized this was on, so I haven’t seen any yet, but I’m working on it. If you have cable, I think it’s on Wednesdays and I recommend giving it a try. Here’s a list of the issues they’re tackling this season.
- “Immigration” a man who has staunch anti-illegal immigration views and is a member of the Minutemen lives with a family of illegal immigrants.
- “Outsourcing” a man who lost his job to outsourcing travels to India, where he witnesses how the outsourcing of US jobs has affected that country’s culture.
- “Atheist/Christian” a woman who is an atheist lives with a fundamentalist Christian family.
- “New Age” a man who is over-worked and over-stressed attempts to find inner peace through unconventional means.
- “Pro-choice/Pro-Life” a woman who had an abortion 6 years ago and is pro-choice resides in a pro-life group home for pregnant women.
- “Jail” Morgan Spurlock experiences life as an inmate inside a county jail.
August 16, 2006 at 7:02 am · Filed under News Events
While Watership Down may be the more accessible feature between the two, The Plague Dogs, director Martin Rosen’s follow-up and again based on a Richard Adams novel, remains the deeper, more urgent film. Thus so, it was brutally cut on its American release after a poor showing internationally, and has ended up an amazingly hard film to see in its uncut form – until now!
Unlike any other animated film yet released, even to this day, The Plague Dogs takes a tough subject and turns it into an extraordinary experience. And watching The Plague Dogs IS an experience. Perhaps it’s closest to Bambi in its stark portrayal of realism, but there are no funny bunnies here to take away the sting, nor even the occasional playfulness or excitement to be found in Rosen’s own Watership Down. The Plague Dogs is a bleak film, full of the realities of life, and that the protagonists are dogs draws on man’s affinity to them in making one feel even more for their plight. Likewise the muted colors, full of the melancholy mood of rural England, strike a harshness that doesn’t set out to make the countryside cosy and inviting.
~via DVDtoons
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