This isn't so much to gloat as to express surprise: Rarely does a newspaper of our size beat EVERYONE, including the big-city types, to an important regional story. But I think we might have in reporting last night at 27east that Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is poised to pull most of its small group plans from New York, apparently angered over the state's refusal to allow higher rates over the last five quarters.
The change will go into effect in April, and though Empire says it doesn't plan to drop out of the small group market in New York, that seems dubious--the effect will be that only a couple of unattractive plans will remain, and it seems like a way to make a fast exit. Or at least to threaten one as a way to open negotiations with the state for higher rates.
The key here is that there are only a handful of options for small-business owners in New York as it stands, when it comes to health insurance plans. If Empire, the largest of the bunch, were to pull out, it will leave most businesses with even fewer options, and likely higher rates.
Anyway, the story is starting to be picked up by larger outlets--Crain's New York, a key business publication, being the first (AFTER THE PRESS, that is)--so when you see it, just remember: You read it here first. Hee-hee.
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/404493/Source-Empire-Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-Set-To-Drop-Most-Of-Its-Small-Group-Plans-In-New-York
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111104/HEALTH_CARE/111109952
Friday, November 4, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Talk About Niche Publishing ...
Found this magazine in our hotel room in NYC this weekend ... did a double-take on the title.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Here's one to mull over...
A New York City cab driver last night asked me one of those questions that really makes you think:
"Tell me: Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?"
"Tell me: Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?"
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Turning Over A New Leaf...
When I washed up on these shores 13 years ago, I found myself out of step in many ways with the local community. Much of it was linguistic: I drank "pop," called those rubbery things that you shoot at someone "gumbands," and used a "sweeper" to clean the floors. (I have to say, you people talk funny.)
Today, I still use all those words in the comfort of my own home, but I try to conform occasionally in polite society. I’ve found myself allowing words like "dog" and "coffee" to evolve in something resembling an East End way. I’ve also been lectured extensively on "Dawn" and "Don," and had it explained to me repeatedly that the two words are not pronounced in exactly the same—although that particular lesson has yet to sink in.
But there are other phenomena that are stubbornly foreign to me. For instance, the placid acceptance of patronage in local politics. Every instance of someone getting a political appointment, job or other favor simply because of their connections stirs my blood. But most people I talk to shrug and say, "Eh, what do you expect? You get elected, you reward the people who got you there." For the first few years, I frothed and tried to stir up revolution. Today, I’ve scaled it back to simply shaking my head in wonder.
Another thing I confess to being baffled by: leaf pickup. It’s a timely topic, what with the leaves finally beginning to loosen their grip, and Southampton Town preparing to deal with the issue.
With all due respect to everyone who believes fervently that leaf pickup is a God-given right included in Section 3, Paragraph 16, of the Dongan Patent—"Ere, henceforth, the freeholders and commonality of this Towne of Southampton shall nay be troubled by the scrap and land flotsam resulting from harvestime loosening of the flora’s bounty"—I don’t understand the passion on the subject. It seems ridiculous to me.
How is it that we have a right to free and timely pickup of our yard waste but not, say, our garbage? I have heard of municipal garbage collection for years; we even had it in my sleepy little hometown of 1,100 in the woods. (The cost? Eight dollars—every three months.) It makes sense—the last thing a community wants is garbage lying around.
But leaves? Sure, it’s nice to have the town get rid of them free of charge if you rake them to the side of the road. But is it really an essential service? And when the time comes to "cut government spending," as everyone seems eager to do these days, how is this not the first thing to go?
Safety concerns? Please. When’s the last time a serious accident was caused by leaves? And how is piling them at the roadside safer?
I understand there are people who rely on the town’s service and can’t really bag their leaves, or afford to hire someone to do it. But is that really a reason to provide the free benefit townwide, to everyone? Last time I checked, the senior citizen shuttle isn’t making runs to the Boardy Barn on Sundays in the summer. These folks have a right to some special treatment.
I’m not trying to be difficult here—I’m genuinely amazed by this, and I’ve been scolded many times for my position. "It’s the one tangible bit of benefit I get for my tax dollars," one person explained, which is the best argument I’ve heard.
Town officials are squaring off now, and it’s clearly a hot topic for residents. I plan to listen closely, hoping someone will convince me of the error of my ways.
Speak loudly, though—there are a lot of leaf blowers this time of year.
Today, I still use all those words in the comfort of my own home, but I try to conform occasionally in polite society. I’ve found myself allowing words like "dog" and "coffee" to evolve in something resembling an East End way. I’ve also been lectured extensively on "Dawn" and "Don," and had it explained to me repeatedly that the two words are not pronounced in exactly the same—although that particular lesson has yet to sink in.
But there are other phenomena that are stubbornly foreign to me. For instance, the placid acceptance of patronage in local politics. Every instance of someone getting a political appointment, job or other favor simply because of their connections stirs my blood. But most people I talk to shrug and say, "Eh, what do you expect? You get elected, you reward the people who got you there." For the first few years, I frothed and tried to stir up revolution. Today, I’ve scaled it back to simply shaking my head in wonder.
Another thing I confess to being baffled by: leaf pickup. It’s a timely topic, what with the leaves finally beginning to loosen their grip, and Southampton Town preparing to deal with the issue.
With all due respect to everyone who believes fervently that leaf pickup is a God-given right included in Section 3, Paragraph 16, of the Dongan Patent—"Ere, henceforth, the freeholders and commonality of this Towne of Southampton shall nay be troubled by the scrap and land flotsam resulting from harvestime loosening of the flora’s bounty"—I don’t understand the passion on the subject. It seems ridiculous to me.
How is it that we have a right to free and timely pickup of our yard waste but not, say, our garbage? I have heard of municipal garbage collection for years; we even had it in my sleepy little hometown of 1,100 in the woods. (The cost? Eight dollars—every three months.) It makes sense—the last thing a community wants is garbage lying around.
But leaves? Sure, it’s nice to have the town get rid of them free of charge if you rake them to the side of the road. But is it really an essential service? And when the time comes to "cut government spending," as everyone seems eager to do these days, how is this not the first thing to go?
Safety concerns? Please. When’s the last time a serious accident was caused by leaves? And how is piling them at the roadside safer?
I understand there are people who rely on the town’s service and can’t really bag their leaves, or afford to hire someone to do it. But is that really a reason to provide the free benefit townwide, to everyone? Last time I checked, the senior citizen shuttle isn’t making runs to the Boardy Barn on Sundays in the summer. These folks have a right to some special treatment.
I’m not trying to be difficult here—I’m genuinely amazed by this, and I’ve been scolded many times for my position. "It’s the one tangible bit of benefit I get for my tax dollars," one person explained, which is the best argument I’ve heard.
Town officials are squaring off now, and it’s clearly a hot topic for residents. I plan to listen closely, hoping someone will convince me of the error of my ways.
Speak loudly, though—there are a lot of leaf blowers this time of year.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Why I'm Excited About The Hamptons International Film Festival (Part III)
It's here! The HIFF starts tonight, and so I'll simply give you a laundry list of all the remaining films that really caught my attention. If you want to check them out, and see if tickets are available, go to www.hamptonsfilmfest.org. (I'm listing them in alphabetical order to make it easier to find them...)
* Charlotte Rampling: The Look
* Collaborator
* Coriolanus
* Crazy Horse
* The Descendants
* The Price Of Sex
* Scenes of a Crime
* Shame
* The Shore
* Sing Your Song/Belafonte interview
* Undefeated
* Warhol/discussion
* We Have A Pope
* We Need To Talk About Kevin
* The Wholly Family (Terry Gilliam)
* Without
* You've been Trumped
* Charlotte Rampling: The Look
* Collaborator
* Coriolanus
* Crazy Horse
* The Descendants
* The Price Of Sex
* Scenes of a Crime
* Shame
* The Shore
* Sing Your Song/Belafonte interview
* Undefeated
* Warhol/discussion
* We Have A Pope
* We Need To Talk About Kevin
* The Wholly Family (Terry Gilliam)
* Without
* You've been Trumped
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Why I'm Excited About The Hamptons International Film Festival (Part II)...
* Special screening of "Election," Saturday, October 15, 1 p.m., Guild Hall (followed at 3:15 p.m. by a conversation between star Mathew Broderick and interviewer Alec Baldwin)
I think Alexander Payne's morality tale set around a high school election is a modern classic--even though I still prefer his "Citizen Ruth" overall. If you haven't seen it, it deserves its treatment here. The added bonus is the after-film conversation...these usually leave me cold, but this one has the potential to be a real fun talk involving two very interesting talkers.
* "The Rum Diary," Saturday, October 15, 8:45 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (2), and Sunday, October 16, 8 p.m., Southampton UA Theater
Johnny Depp famously channeled his friend Hunter S. Thompson in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"; this time he's going to embody a character written by HST--let's cut to the chase: it's still HST--in one of his novels. Bruce Robinson has a nice track record with "Withnail and I" and "How To Get Ahead in Advertising," so it'll be interesting to see what he does with the material. Depp's involvement has the potential to make this a breakout film...so see it here before the buzz begins.
* "Martha Marcy May Marlene," Friday, October 14, 9:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1), and Monday, October 17, 9 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1)
I confess, this is an example of web advertising and buzz both working to promote a film. I had heard some rumbling about the breakout performance Elizabeth Olsen, who is the little sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen...word is that she's amazing in this film, which also features John Hawkes, who is rapidly becoming the Harvey Keitel of his generation--the lesser-known guy with amazing talent whose involvement in a film virtually guarantees its quality. This is a thriller about an upstate cult...I clicked on an ad to watch the trailer, and I admit it looks compelling.
(As an added bonus: For those of you who have never seen them, here are the opening credits for Gaspar Noe's "Enter the Void," which I think have now destroyed opening credits for all other directors--this is the greatest presentation of them in movie history. I think it was the Times reviewer who described it as "an explosion in a font factory."):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPxgi-PiNFE
I think Alexander Payne's morality tale set around a high school election is a modern classic--even though I still prefer his "Citizen Ruth" overall. If you haven't seen it, it deserves its treatment here. The added bonus is the after-film conversation...these usually leave me cold, but this one has the potential to be a real fun talk involving two very interesting talkers.
* "The Rum Diary," Saturday, October 15, 8:45 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (2), and Sunday, October 16, 8 p.m., Southampton UA Theater
Johnny Depp famously channeled his friend Hunter S. Thompson in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"; this time he's going to embody a character written by HST--let's cut to the chase: it's still HST--in one of his novels. Bruce Robinson has a nice track record with "Withnail and I" and "How To Get Ahead in Advertising," so it'll be interesting to see what he does with the material. Depp's involvement has the potential to make this a breakout film...so see it here before the buzz begins.
* "Martha Marcy May Marlene," Friday, October 14, 9:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1), and Monday, October 17, 9 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1)
I confess, this is an example of web advertising and buzz both working to promote a film. I had heard some rumbling about the breakout performance Elizabeth Olsen, who is the little sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen...word is that she's amazing in this film, which also features John Hawkes, who is rapidly becoming the Harvey Keitel of his generation--the lesser-known guy with amazing talent whose involvement in a film virtually guarantees its quality. This is a thriller about an upstate cult...I clicked on an ad to watch the trailer, and I admit it looks compelling.
(As an added bonus: For those of you who have never seen them, here are the opening credits for Gaspar Noe's "Enter the Void," which I think have now destroyed opening credits for all other directors--this is the greatest presentation of them in movie history. I think it was the Times reviewer who described it as "an explosion in a font factory."):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPxgi-PiNFE
Friday, October 7, 2011
Why I'm Excited About The Hamptons International Film Festival (Part I)...
Over the years, the HIFF--which starts next week; watch for the big preview in this week's editions of The Press and at 27east.com--has become one of my favorite things about the East End.
I have had a few of my most memorable movie experiences of all-time at the festival: deconstructing "Citizen Kane," frame by frame, with Roger Ebert; watching a glorious archival print of "City Lights," from the Chaplin estate, with a live band behind the screen playing Chaplin's lovely score for the silent film, at the John Drew; watching one of my favorite films, the Coen Brothers' "Miller's Crossing," on the big screen, then hearing several of the film's principals--including Marcia Gay Harden and Barry Sonnenfeld--discussing the experience. Nirvana for a movie lover.
This year, as usual, there's lots to be excited about--so much, in fact, that I'm going to post a daily update of a few of the items at the festival I'm eager to see (wish I could see them all, frankly). You can see for yourself at hamptonsfilmfest.org, where you can also buy tickets in advance.
So here's Part I of "why I'm excited about the HIFF":
* "Melancholia," Friday, October 14, 6:30 p.m., UA East Hampton Theater (1); Sunday, October 16, noon, UA East Hampton Theater (2)
This is the one movie I've already got tickets for--the Sunday showing, since the Friday night premiere is already in "rush" tickets, and you don't want to take chances when your favorite director's new film is finally hitting the screen.
Lars Von Trier, the Dutch imp who shook up Cannes with some unfortunate "jokes" about Nazis and regular shakes up movie audiences with his remarkable but unsettling films (most recently "Anti-Christ"), might not be my very favorite director, but he's in the final five for sure. His work isn't for everyone, but I think it's some of the most interesting stuff out there.
It's not the American debut of the film--it premiered at the New York Film Festival last weekend, and it allegedly will be available as Video On Demand on some cable and satellite providers starting today (you can bet I'm checking my TV listings as soon as I get home!). But it's still a rare chance to see the film before its limited release in November.
It's got something to do with wedding, and the end of the world, with a planet colliding with Earth. Kirsten Dunst stars. I don't really care--I just know it's likely to be worth seeing.
* East End Films, Saturday, October 15, 10:30 a.m., East Hampton UA Theater (6); Monday, October 17, 6:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (6)
This is bound to be good--we've got so many talented filmmakers based here, including the students who will be featured at the festival--but I'm particularly interested because of one short film, "Two's A Crowd," by former Press intern Tom Isler and his big brother, Jim, who have roots in Southampton. Their documentary is described thusly: The key to Allen and Collette’s midlife marriage has been keeping separate apartments, twenty blocks from each other, in New York City. Soon, financial pressures force the couple to take the plunge and cohabit in Collette's one-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. Tom and Jim will both be there for a Q&A afterward, as will the subjects of their documentary.
* "The Bully Project," Friday, October 14, 2 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1); Sunday, October 16, 11:45 a.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1)
Documentary filmmaker Lee Hirsch will be in attendance to discuss his film, which is about a problem that has propped up recently here (see this week's Press) and is a growing topic of conversation nationally: bullying among young people. It's a fascinating topic, and this feature-length film will draw even more attention to an important topic to both adults and kids.
Von Trier
* "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," Friday, October 14, 8:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (5); Saturday, October 15, noon, East Hampton UA Theater (4)
Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky unveil the third documentary in a series on the "West Memphis 3," a trio of Arkansas men who were jailed as teens after being accused of murdering three young boys. I'll spoil the ending: Seventeen years and one ridiculous circus of a trial later, they were finally released this summer. It hardly brings an end to one of the darkest chapters in American justice, one tinged with Satanic panic. (I'll be wearing my "Free the West Memphis 3" T-shirt to the showing, proudly.)
I have had a few of my most memorable movie experiences of all-time at the festival: deconstructing "Citizen Kane," frame by frame, with Roger Ebert; watching a glorious archival print of "City Lights," from the Chaplin estate, with a live band behind the screen playing Chaplin's lovely score for the silent film, at the John Drew; watching one of my favorite films, the Coen Brothers' "Miller's Crossing," on the big screen, then hearing several of the film's principals--including Marcia Gay Harden and Barry Sonnenfeld--discussing the experience. Nirvana for a movie lover.
This year, as usual, there's lots to be excited about--so much, in fact, that I'm going to post a daily update of a few of the items at the festival I'm eager to see (wish I could see them all, frankly). You can see for yourself at hamptonsfilmfest.org, where you can also buy tickets in advance.
So here's Part I of "why I'm excited about the HIFF":
* "Melancholia," Friday, October 14, 6:30 p.m., UA East Hampton Theater (1); Sunday, October 16, noon, UA East Hampton Theater (2)
This is the one movie I've already got tickets for--the Sunday showing, since the Friday night premiere is already in "rush" tickets, and you don't want to take chances when your favorite director's new film is finally hitting the screen.
Lars Von Trier, the Dutch imp who shook up Cannes with some unfortunate "jokes" about Nazis and regular shakes up movie audiences with his remarkable but unsettling films (most recently "Anti-Christ"), might not be my very favorite director, but he's in the final five for sure. His work isn't for everyone, but I think it's some of the most interesting stuff out there.
It's not the American debut of the film--it premiered at the New York Film Festival last weekend, and it allegedly will be available as Video On Demand on some cable and satellite providers starting today (you can bet I'm checking my TV listings as soon as I get home!). But it's still a rare chance to see the film before its limited release in November.
It's got something to do with wedding, and the end of the world, with a planet colliding with Earth. Kirsten Dunst stars. I don't really care--I just know it's likely to be worth seeing.
* East End Films, Saturday, October 15, 10:30 a.m., East Hampton UA Theater (6); Monday, October 17, 6:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (6)
This is bound to be good--we've got so many talented filmmakers based here, including the students who will be featured at the festival--but I'm particularly interested because of one short film, "Two's A Crowd," by former Press intern Tom Isler and his big brother, Jim, who have roots in Southampton. Their documentary is described thusly: The key to Allen and Collette’s midlife marriage has been keeping separate apartments, twenty blocks from each other, in New York City. Soon, financial pressures force the couple to take the plunge and cohabit in Collette's one-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. Tom and Jim will both be there for a Q&A afterward, as will the subjects of their documentary.
* "The Bully Project," Friday, October 14, 2 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1); Sunday, October 16, 11:45 a.m., East Hampton UA Theater (1)
Documentary filmmaker Lee Hirsch will be in attendance to discuss his film, which is about a problem that has propped up recently here (see this week's Press) and is a growing topic of conversation nationally: bullying among young people. It's a fascinating topic, and this feature-length film will draw even more attention to an important topic to both adults and kids.
Von Trier
* "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," Friday, October 14, 8:30 p.m., East Hampton UA Theater (5); Saturday, October 15, noon, East Hampton UA Theater (4)
Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky unveil the third documentary in a series on the "West Memphis 3," a trio of Arkansas men who were jailed as teens after being accused of murdering three young boys. I'll spoil the ending: Seventeen years and one ridiculous circus of a trial later, they were finally released this summer. It hardly brings an end to one of the darkest chapters in American justice, one tinged with Satanic panic. (I'll be wearing my "Free the West Memphis 3" T-shirt to the showing, proudly.)
You Don't Have To Be A Steelers Fan ...
To enjoy this. Made me laugh out loud this morning. Glad Troy Polamalu is becoming a star--by all accounts, he's a good guy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/headandshoulders#p/u
http://www.youtube.com/user/headandshoulders#p/u
A Shout-Out ...
To my good friend Phil Keith, Captain USN (Ret.) our "Mostly Right" columnist here at The Press, whose new book, "Crimson Valor," is now available electronically for those who read via Kindle, Nook, etc.
Phil, who was a Navy fighter pilot commissioned through the NROTC program at Harvard College (he was Class of 1968), tells the story of 17 former Harvard students who were recipients of the Medal of Valor.
It will be coming out in hardcover shortly after the first of the year, I believe, but you can get a sneak peek for only $7.99 through Amazon, if you have Kindle. I do, and I will! Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Valor-ebook/dp/B005QNO8R2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318004606&sr=8-1
Phil, who was a Navy fighter pilot commissioned through the NROTC program at Harvard College (he was Class of 1968), tells the story of 17 former Harvard students who were recipients of the Medal of Valor.
It will be coming out in hardcover shortly after the first of the year, I believe, but you can get a sneak peek for only $7.99 through Amazon, if you have Kindle. I do, and I will! Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Valor-ebook/dp/B005QNO8R2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318004606&sr=8-1
An Important Counter-Balance...
...to the Steve Jobs hagiography of the last few days, courtesy of Gawker--he was a visionary and an amazing guy in many ways, but a saint he was not:
http://gawker.com/5847344/what-everyone-is-too-polite-to-say-about-steve-jobs
http://gawker.com/5847344/what-everyone-is-too-polite-to-say-about-steve-jobs
Thursday, October 6, 2011
For Movie Buffs Only ...
As someone who has been a movie nut my entire life, I sometimes find myself in awe at the world we live in today, which offers immediate gratification to cinemaphiles in a way we never dreamed of.
I have a huge collection of DVDs, and I wonder now if I'll ever buy another one. Between Netflix and Hulu-Plus, I have access to thousands and thousands of movies, both obscure and popular. As a kid, you could only hope to see one of these films when it popped up on late-night TV somewhere in some chopped-up form, or maybe on PBS if you were lucky. (And, of course, the whole notion of recording it to watch later? That didn't come till my teens.) As a college student, you could sometimes track them down at the local video rental shop--although the kinds of films I like were hard, if not impossible, to find, and you didn't want to pay the nearly $100 that early movies cost (because they were sold to rental shops, not individuals, for the most part). Cable brought another option, if you were lucky enough to have access. Tapes and, later, DVDs started to bring the price point down, and the internet brought a whole new way to find them.
But only recently have we reached the moment where I have an interest in some amazing yet still relatively obscure movie--say, Bergman's "Persona"--and I can dial it up via Netflix or Hulu and watch it that moment. Further, I can do the same on my iPad, which is sometimes even better. Beyond that, there are even movies I can download from the web, free of charge: it's how I got to see "Begotten," an art house horror film from the early '90s, via Google Video, which streams it for nothing.
I enjoy nothing more than going through Netflix's list of DVDs and movies available to stream, ditto Hulu, and setting up my queue. At both sites, my queues seem ridiculously long--my DVD queue is 162 choices long, the "watch instantly" list is nearly that long, and I just loaded up my Hulu queue with Criterion Collection films: "Yojimbo," "Wings of Desire," "Picnic at Hanging Rock," "M. Hulot's Holiday."
Suggestions?
I have a huge collection of DVDs, and I wonder now if I'll ever buy another one. Between Netflix and Hulu-Plus, I have access to thousands and thousands of movies, both obscure and popular. As a kid, you could only hope to see one of these films when it popped up on late-night TV somewhere in some chopped-up form, or maybe on PBS if you were lucky. (And, of course, the whole notion of recording it to watch later? That didn't come till my teens.) As a college student, you could sometimes track them down at the local video rental shop--although the kinds of films I like were hard, if not impossible, to find, and you didn't want to pay the nearly $100 that early movies cost (because they were sold to rental shops, not individuals, for the most part). Cable brought another option, if you were lucky enough to have access. Tapes and, later, DVDs started to bring the price point down, and the internet brought a whole new way to find them.
But only recently have we reached the moment where I have an interest in some amazing yet still relatively obscure movie--say, Bergman's "Persona"--and I can dial it up via Netflix or Hulu and watch it that moment. Further, I can do the same on my iPad, which is sometimes even better. Beyond that, there are even movies I can download from the web, free of charge: it's how I got to see "Begotten," an art house horror film from the early '90s, via Google Video, which streams it for nothing.
I enjoy nothing more than going through Netflix's list of DVDs and movies available to stream, ditto Hulu, and setting up my queue. At both sites, my queues seem ridiculously long--my DVD queue is 162 choices long, the "watch instantly" list is nearly that long, and I just loaded up my Hulu queue with Criterion Collection films: "Yojimbo," "Wings of Desire," "Picnic at Hanging Rock," "M. Hulot's Holiday."
Suggestions?
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Treasure Trove...
...Of great music over at the "Austin City Limits" website, all free. Dozens of full episodes and other stuff...
Just got distracted watching The Swell Season with special guest Daniel Johnston (an Austin favorite), then on to a ripping Sonic Youth set, rolling right into a set by the Black Keys. Great video, and the music always sounds great on that show.
If you've got time to fill, go at your own risk--it'll eat up hours!
The site:
http://video.klru.tv/program/1273976454/
Just got distracted watching The Swell Season with special guest Daniel Johnston (an Austin favorite), then on to a ripping Sonic Youth set, rolling right into a set by the Black Keys. Great video, and the music always sounds great on that show.
If you've got time to fill, go at your own risk--it'll eat up hours!
The site:
http://video.klru.tv/program/1273976454/
What's In A Name?...
Already one call about Michael Wright's analysis this week (already posted at 27east.com) about the local GOP and the divisions within. A party official, in a mostly friendly way, objected to a story that features unnamed sources from within the party grousing. The point: Who's to say this isn't just sour grapes from a couple of individuals, rather than something worthy of a news story?
My answer: We're typically wary of doing stories that rely heavily on unnamed sources. At the same time, a story like this--which purports to discuss what's really going on beneath the "everything's fine" cover story--couldn't really be told without granting people the ability to speak candidly and not risk repercussions. In this case, the story clearly notes that one of our sources is a Republican committee member--so we're not simply stirring up "RINOs" to badmouth the party.
I'm curious what other people think of stories that involve unnamed sources. I told the person who called the truth: I'm frankly wary of such stories when I read them elsewhere. At the same time, I know the sources in this instance, and I feel comfortable that the story is fair--and, moreover, it's a story we couldn't have gotten solely on the record.
I've said it many times: I think our job isn't to report what people SAY the story is, but what the story REALLY is. You just can't rely on on-the-record sources alone to do that.
Here's the link to the story in question...would love to hear your thoughts in comments posted below:
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest/400847/Youth-In-GOP-See-Changes-On-Horizon
My answer: We're typically wary of doing stories that rely heavily on unnamed sources. At the same time, a story like this--which purports to discuss what's really going on beneath the "everything's fine" cover story--couldn't really be told without granting people the ability to speak candidly and not risk repercussions. In this case, the story clearly notes that one of our sources is a Republican committee member--so we're not simply stirring up "RINOs" to badmouth the party.
I'm curious what other people think of stories that involve unnamed sources. I told the person who called the truth: I'm frankly wary of such stories when I read them elsewhere. At the same time, I know the sources in this instance, and I feel comfortable that the story is fair--and, moreover, it's a story we couldn't have gotten solely on the record.
I've said it many times: I think our job isn't to report what people SAY the story is, but what the story REALLY is. You just can't rely on on-the-record sources alone to do that.
Here's the link to the story in question...would love to hear your thoughts in comments posted below:
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest/400847/Youth-In-GOP-See-Changes-On-Horizon
Monday, October 3, 2011
Fingers Crossed On An "Arrested Development" Reboot...
As an "Arrested Development" fanatic, I'm excited at all the reports that the cast is planning reunite not just for a movie (as has been previously reported) but also for a limited-run season of new episodes to come before the movie.
Color me guardedly excited. They've been talking about this for years, and the movie never seems closer to reality. I can't imagine how they're going to put the series back together for a short run, or where it will air. (You can forget Fox--they never wanted to pay the cost of an incredible ensemble cast and did their best to kill it.)
If you've never seen this show, do yourself a favor and track down the first season. (It only ran for three, and the third season was truncated.) I would say it was the best American sitcom of all time--the highest quality, at least. (The BBC's original "The Office" still takes the grand prize.) The episodes have so much going on in them, you need several viewings to pick up on all the running jokes, the things happening in the background, the inside jokes that foreshadow plot developments, etc., etc. It's layered, and it's silly as a "Marx Brothers" comedy, with wordplay that comes close to that level. And there isn't a single character that hits a flat note.
A word of warning: Give it a few episodes to grow on you...the early part of Season 1, like so many shows, is about feeling their way along. About midway through the season, they hit their stride and never lost it again. But you need to see the early episodes to really "get" the series.
Also: You'll be hooked, and you'll watch the entire series, and you'll become an obnoxious blogger who can't stop talking about the stupid movie that they might never actually make.
No touching!
The First Of Many Steeler Posts...
This is one Monday when I'm glad to be here rather than in Pittsburgh. A gloom settles like a fog over The 'Burgh after a Steeler loss, especially a bad one, like the 17-10 loss in Houston yesterday certainly was.
I had bucked the trend and predicted a win--the Steelers have a way, in recent years, of rising up for games against good teams. Not this time. The offensive line is dilapidated (it's a word I always warn reporters not to use unless a building is ready to fall down; I think it applies nicely in this case, however), and the defense has become strangely susceptible to the run after coming close to an NFL record last year for fewest rushing yards allowed per game. Some people were predicting 13-3; they already have two losses. In fact, we're now tied at 2-2 with the two surprising teams from Ohio--and I'm not sure the Steelers aren't really at the bottom of that particular list.
What to do? Well, the offensive line issues aren't going to be resolved this year...the best we can hope for is that the ragtag unit will find some continuity. I think it's time to essentially dump the long and mid-range passes from the playbook--the QB (Ben, or whoever it might be if he has a broken foot after yesterday) won't have time to throw them. It's time to dust off an old-fashioned screen pass to the HB from time to time. More formations with three tight ends. Hold in at least one TE, maybe two, to help with pass blocking.
Defensively, I'm not sure what to think. It's the same team, but it seems in disarray. Too many missed tackles (defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu has been surprisingly prone to whiffing), too many times being dominated by blockers. The pass defense has been okay, but that's largely because teams have been able to run so effectively. Did the team really just get too old in one year? I can't shake the feeling that it's about execution, not strategy. And these guys are too good to let that continue for long.
This next game, hosting the Titans, is going to be a significant one. If the Steelers dig deep and turn it around (against a surprising 3-1 team), we can chalk a lot of this to the up-and-downs of the regular season, and maybe the impact of the shortened training camp, plus numerous key injuries. If they don't? It might be time to start thinking fondly of the solid run the team has had in recent years, and start using that ugly "R" word: rebuilding. Because, Steeler fans, you are here.
I had bucked the trend and predicted a win--the Steelers have a way, in recent years, of rising up for games against good teams. Not this time. The offensive line is dilapidated (it's a word I always warn reporters not to use unless a building is ready to fall down; I think it applies nicely in this case, however), and the defense has become strangely susceptible to the run after coming close to an NFL record last year for fewest rushing yards allowed per game. Some people were predicting 13-3; they already have two losses. In fact, we're now tied at 2-2 with the two surprising teams from Ohio--and I'm not sure the Steelers aren't really at the bottom of that particular list.
What to do? Well, the offensive line issues aren't going to be resolved this year...the best we can hope for is that the ragtag unit will find some continuity. I think it's time to essentially dump the long and mid-range passes from the playbook--the QB (Ben, or whoever it might be if he has a broken foot after yesterday) won't have time to throw them. It's time to dust off an old-fashioned screen pass to the HB from time to time. More formations with three tight ends. Hold in at least one TE, maybe two, to help with pass blocking.
Defensively, I'm not sure what to think. It's the same team, but it seems in disarray. Too many missed tackles (defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu has been surprisingly prone to whiffing), too many times being dominated by blockers. The pass defense has been okay, but that's largely because teams have been able to run so effectively. Did the team really just get too old in one year? I can't shake the feeling that it's about execution, not strategy. And these guys are too good to let that continue for long.
This next game, hosting the Titans, is going to be a significant one. If the Steelers dig deep and turn it around (against a surprising 3-1 team), we can chalk a lot of this to the up-and-downs of the regular season, and maybe the impact of the shortened training camp, plus numerous key injuries. If they don't? It might be time to start thinking fondly of the solid run the team has had in recent years, and start using that ugly "R" word: rebuilding. Because, Steeler fans, you are here.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Get Well Soon...
To Patrick "Skip" Heaney, former Southampton Town supervisor, who underwent angioplasty earlier this week after suffering a heart attack late last week.
And a reminder to everyone out there, from someone who knows: Get a stress test, and do it regularly, whether or not you've had problems. For many people, the first symptom of cardiovascular disease is a fatal heart attack. But a stress test can often detect problems before a heart attack--which is what happened in my case.
And a reminder to everyone out there, from someone who knows: Get a stress test, and do it regularly, whether or not you've had problems. For many people, the first symptom of cardiovascular disease is a fatal heart attack. But a stress test can often detect problems before a heart attack--which is what happened in my case.
For Real This Time...
Okay, one more time...we're gonna try to make this blogging thing work.
It's a vicious circle--I don't blog because nobody is reading, nobody reads because I'm not blogging. I will try to do my part over the next few weeks, but I'm going to need some support from friends and co-workers as followers and commenters till we get this tiny spark roaring like a bonfire. Teamwork! (Worth noting: Dana, my wife, is still not a follower.)
First things first...I'm still using the "Wolverine" photo from the 30 seconds I had the mutton chops (just long enough to snap the photo before cutting them off). I need a new photo to run as a profile photo. I've got a few options--I'll need you all to give your opinions in the comments section, and the top vote-getter wins.
Okay, here we go:
* Choice No. 1: A current photo, long hair and all. (I haven't taken this one yet.)
* Choice No. 2: The dark, sullen me:
* Choice No. 3: Steve Kotz turning me into a cuckold:
* Choice No. 4: Glenn Danzig of the heavy metal band Danzig, buying cat litter, while wearing a Danzig T-shirt:
* Choice No. 5: Funny and ironic:
* Choice No. 6: The horrifying "pigmonkey" (this is not photoshopped--it's a real thing):
Choose wisely, my friends.
It's a vicious circle--I don't blog because nobody is reading, nobody reads because I'm not blogging. I will try to do my part over the next few weeks, but I'm going to need some support from friends and co-workers as followers and commenters till we get this tiny spark roaring like a bonfire. Teamwork! (Worth noting: Dana, my wife, is still not a follower.)
First things first...I'm still using the "Wolverine" photo from the 30 seconds I had the mutton chops (just long enough to snap the photo before cutting them off). I need a new photo to run as a profile photo. I've got a few options--I'll need you all to give your opinions in the comments section, and the top vote-getter wins.
Okay, here we go:
* Choice No. 1: A current photo, long hair and all. (I haven't taken this one yet.)
* Choice No. 2: The dark, sullen me:
* Choice No. 3: Steve Kotz turning me into a cuckold:
* Choice No. 4: Glenn Danzig of the heavy metal band Danzig, buying cat litter, while wearing a Danzig T-shirt:
* Choice No. 5: Funny and ironic:
* Choice No. 6: The horrifying "pigmonkey" (this is not photoshopped--it's a real thing):
Choose wisely, my friends.
Newspapers' Death Has Been Exaggerated
...At least community newspapers.
This was a nice boost from an article in the Atlantic about a Pew Research Center study, which confirms what we already know: despite the dire economic projections, community newspapers are still important.
Local Newspapers Still Matter (Atlantic)
This was a nice boost from an article in the Atlantic about a Pew Research Center study, which confirms what we already know: despite the dire economic projections, community newspapers are still important.
Local Newspapers Still Matter (Atlantic)
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