The More Things Change

The more they stay absolutely the same! I love Jon Stewart's take on Obama's inauguration speech...it's totally worth watching if you haven't seen it.

Interesting comparison, no? Much has been said about the historic election, hope, change, blah blah blah. I didn't vote for President Obama, but that doesn't mean that I want him to fail, either. (We have enough problems as it is!) It's just that I'm a bit skeptical. We've heard a lot of pretty rhetoric from him, but haven't really seen much action. I'm interested to see what he can actually do. My hunch is that he'll quickly learn that all of these problems are not so simple after all...no wonder President Bush couldn't solve them. But I'm willing to give him a chance. Just do me one favor please, Mr. New President? Don't spend my money on another massive bailout. The last one didn't work, and I doubt a second one will, either. Recessions happen, the economy cycles, and things will most likely be looking up by the time you're up for re-election.
PS. Just for fun, check out The Idiossey: The Epic Poem of Obamacles. You may not like it if you think Obama can walk on water, but if you're realistic (and have a vague memory of high school English) you'll probably find it funny. It's a little long, but the "Hildusa" parts in the middle are laugh-out-loud hilarious.

Message in a Bottle-Oh

On Wednesday night Dave and I went to see the Police in concert at Madison Square Garden. I must admit that I had my doubts after fighting traffic for two hours and listening to the opening act that was WAY too loud and annoying. But it was a great concert and a lot of fun. Though we were among the youngest people in the audience (picture a bunch of middle-aged white people--more homogenous than most crowds in NYC), everyone was dancing and singing along. Which was good, because there are some notes that Sting just can't hit anymore (such as the key changes in "Roxanne"). They were all looking a little old; the drummer was wearing a headband and glasses and looked like he was going to play raquetball. The other guitarist had a bit of a beer belly, though not as much as many audience members. It was just as a concert should be--the band was congenial and they played all the "greatest hits". As for us, it was fun to feel like we were in college again, if only for a couple of hours.

Why I Hate Hollywood

This weekend the Netflix fairy brought "Stranger Than Fiction." I remember seeing the previews last fall and thinking (for the first time in a long time) that I actually wanted to pay $10 to see it in the theater. But it came out the week Emma was born, so I had to wait for the DVD.

It did not disappoint. The storyline is funny and poignant, and quite possibly the most original thing to come out of the film industry in decades. Will Ferrell's character was completely endearing. The ending was a nice twist, and in semi-"Napoleon Dynamite" fashion, brought a deeper meaning to the rest of the story. Fabulous--Dave and I BOTH loved it.

Except. (You knew this was coming, didn't you?) There is one scene in the movie where Will Ferrell's character is talking to Dustin Hoffman's character, and in the background is a locker room scene where there are naked men showering. It has absolutely nothing to do with the conversation, but some moron decided to stage the scene there. And I ask: If they HAD to use the locker room, couldn't they just use the plain lockers as a background? Or bathroom stalls with doors closed?

Now, to be fair, the movie wasn't completely clean. There was another conversation at urinals, a few choice words, and I believe 2 bedroom scenes where there was making out while fully clothed (hinting at other things, of course). But the locker room showers in the background just really got me. WHY? I loved everything else about this movie, but this scene almost ruins it for me. Too bad "Clean Flicks" isn't around anymore.

Which brings me to my point: I hate Hollywood. Even in otherwise good movies, they have to sneak in junk like this. It's absolutely ridiculous and apalling to me. I suppose that's why I stopped going to movies in the first place, but obviously enough people still go to keep it going strong. So I will keep my $10 and the $20 I might have spent on the DVD and go buy a new book. Take that, Babylon!