Apr

30

As She Climbed Across the Table.

Filed Under Print Media | 1 Comment

I have been pacing myself when it comes to reading Jonathan Lethem’s work. I have more or less adored each novel consumed, but I have also recognized Mr. Lethem is not exactly the most prolific writer. If I started biting off a Lethem-penned book a month, I’d have been done ages ago, and would have had little to look forward to than future output.

And so it is that I only recently got around to reading As She Climbed Across the Table. Lethem here manages to write a physics-oriented story without getting tripped up on the complicated hard science that his readers would have difficulty understanding. Only, unlike Adam Felber in his debut, Lethem manages to skirt around the physics without ever giving the impression the author is on the out-and-out; rather, only his lead admits a degree of detachment from the particle accelerator, et al.

Some interesting metaphysics. A few memorable characters and relationships. More than a handful of fantastically funny scenes. Great alcohol-related wordplay. Heartily recommended. My favorite so far, save the peerless Motherless Brooklyn.

Apr

27

First trial.

Filed Under Law, Personal | 2 Comments

Finally, my trial cherry is broken. And guess what? Jury returned with a not guilty. Fucking icing on the cake, baby.

Apr

23

Sad Kermit’s “Hurt.”

Filed Under Humor, Music | 3 Comments

The “Kermit the Frog covers Nine Inch Nails” concept gets the following video through the first minute or so. The raucously amusing visuals get it through the rest of the way.

[From Ocelot Slideshow.]

Apr

21

“Challahback Girl.”

Filed Under Humor, Music | 2 Comments

When is some “Weird” Al-wannabe gonna get off his fat ass and write a Gwen Stefani-inspired song about an anorexic Jewish American Princess bemoaning the proliferation of rapper girl asses at her yeshiva?

Apr

17

“This American Life” parody.

Filed Under Humor | 4 Comments

Want to listen to an amusing as fuck and completely dead-on “This American Life” parody? That’s what I thought.

[From Will Hines.]

Apr

15

Grindhouse.

Filed Under Film | 4 Comments

Saw Grindhouse last night with A in Tacoma. Highly enjoyable. Highly recommended. Few thoughts:

The Thanksgiving trailer spoof had me laughing harder than just about anything else. Even more than the Live Free or Die Hard actual trailer. Especially noteworthy? The blood tasting scene and the final dinner scene; don’t miss the last shot.

I enjoyed Death Proof more than Planet Terror, but I’m having a hard time deciphering why. Perhaps it was that Death Proof had better banter. Perhaps it was that I dig car chases more than zombie-esque monsters. But I think it is that Kurt Russell got to play a whiny bitch, whereas Bruce Willis just got to play himself again.

Last night, I was pretty certain I saw Sidney Poitier’s name listed among “The Girls” during the opening credits of Death Proof. Upon checking IMDb, I discovered Jungle Julie was played by an actress named Sydney Poitier. I’m thinking of calling Mr. Tibbs about a lodging SAG complaint.

I continue to be shocked Danny Trejo doesn’t yet have the action star career he deserves.

Apr

15

Mummenschanz.

Filed Under Humor | 1 Comment

A few days ago, during an NPR segment about a very long Tom Stoppard theatrical trilogy, I reached a milestone in every pop culture literate person’s life: I heard my hundredth “Mummenschanz” joke.

Seeing how this funny sounding word is apparently connected to some sort of very long, very dull event about which I knew next to nothing. After hearing one hundred Mummenschanz quips, I decided to find out what I’ve been missing. And, after briefly consulting Wikipedia, I’m happy to announce that Mummenschanz is precisely what I imagined it to be: unwatchable Swiss silent performance art featuring creepy masks. Sort of like miming, but with a less coherent plot and fewer tears.

Apr

14

Dylan Hears a Who!

Filed Under Music | 2 Comments

Working full time means I’m constantly late to the party. I only heard about Kevin Ryan’s renderings of Dr. Seuss texts as faux Bob Dylan (circa 1966) songs after the cease and desist letter shut down the site. Dylan Hears a Who!, for that is what the project is called, is entertaining enough. [Note: although Mr. Ryan complied with the cease and desist letter and took down the site, there are other ways of listening. Use your search engine skills and I'm sure you'll get there.] The Dylan impersonation is capable (both vocally and picking-wise). The conceit is amusing. I’m not sure all the fuss would be warranted if not for the stupidity of Dr. Seuss’s estate. But worth a listen.

Apr

10

Still no trials.

Filed Under Law, Personal | 2 Comments

This is starting to get ridiculous. In the court in which I spend most of my time, the second full week of every month is “trial week.” The court tries to schedule all trials during that week. Given the size of my caseload, it would be laughable to even contemplate going to trial on even a substantial fraction of those cases. But given the size of my caseload, it is similarly laughable that, over the past few months, no cases have gone to trial. None. I’ve gone into the readiness hearing on the Friday preceding trial week scheduling at least three trials. But all of them ended up resolving or getting set out or otherwise not happening.

Today, I had one that I was almost positive was definitely going to go. Prepped all day yesterday, and many hours over the past few months. Just before jury selection this morning, it resolved. What the fuck?

Apr

7

Ambiguously homeless.

Filed Under Olympia | 1 Comment

Since moving to Olympia, I’ve been struck by how many ambiguously homeless people live here. Not homeless people, exactly. Seattle appeared to have a much higher rate of homelessness than Olympia. But a really sizable number of the pedestrians in Olympia do not appear to shower regularly, wear recently cleaned or purchased clothing, or have a particularly sane attitude toward other pedestrians. Given the numbers I’ve seen on the estimated size of Olympia’s actually homeless population, the vast majority of Olympia’s great unwashed are not, in fact, homeless. But I’m not capable, generally, of distinguishing which ones are. Which of the hundreds of buskers, panhandlers, and morning drunks I see when I walk to work slept at home the previous night, and which ones slept in a tent, on the street, or at the Salvation Army. Odd, that.

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