Oh the dangers of letting two DJs loose in a used record store...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Annoying is the New Clever
I am so fucking sick of the phrase "X is the new Y." Red is the new black. Green is the new cult. Gay is the new straight. What does this even mean? Does "gay" now mean "likes to have sex with members of the opposite gender?" Every time I hear that phrase I cringe, because it means nothing.
It means, in fact, that annoying is the new clever.
There's a great line in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey where the heroine, Catherine Moreland, bemoans her lack of social skills by stating "I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible." Funnily enough, it's as true now as it was in Austen's time. In contemporary culture, making no sense whatsoever is what now passes for being smart, sophisticated, or hip.
Think about it. How many commercials these days have tag lines or claims that make no sense? Beer proudly proclaims itself to have "drinkability." Wow...a liquid with the ability to be consumed, who'd have thought it? A shampoo says it delivers "hair so strong, it shines." Since when did shine become a hallmark of strength? "That ugly perfume fragrance is so strong you're shiny." "Did you see how that weightlifter shined? I needed special glasses just to look at him."
Remember when words meant something? When being able to speak and write well was something to be respected and admired? Now being able to shorten entire sentences to a gibberish collection of symbols is viewed as the epitome of cool. Can anyone really admire the ability to text "C U L8er?" I hate that American culture is being reduced to the equivalent of the text on a vanity plate.
And there are so many insipid words and phrases that show no reluctance to die. "Think outside of the box." Here's a tip folks, don't get in the fucking box to begin with. "Superstar." Half the time that word is applied to someone I've never heard of and who is famous solely for being famous. Then there's the relentless shortening of words. "Phenom," for instance. That one gets me because not only is it annoying, but it invariably refers to someone or something barely adequate, let alone phenomenal.
I love old movies, and one of the reasons why is because the scripts are so good. The dialog is witty and assumes the audience has a brain. Or the plot is suspenseful (rather than merely stupid interludes waiting for the next disembowelment) and the characters speak like people you'd like to meet, as opposed to someone you'd cross the street to avoid. And everyone speaks in complete sentences, in actual English. They don't speak in shorthand. And the lines are memorable. "Here's looking at you, kid" will never be forgotten. "You are one phat ho, mama." can't be forgotten soon enough.
I am so fucking sick of the phrase "X is the new Y." Red is the new black. Green is the new cult. Gay is the new straight. What does this even mean? Does "gay" now mean "likes to have sex with members of the opposite gender?" Every time I hear that phrase I cringe, because it means nothing.
It means, in fact, that annoying is the new clever.
There's a great line in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey where the heroine, Catherine Moreland, bemoans her lack of social skills by stating "I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible." Funnily enough, it's as true now as it was in Austen's time. In contemporary culture, making no sense whatsoever is what now passes for being smart, sophisticated, or hip.
Think about it. How many commercials these days have tag lines or claims that make no sense? Beer proudly proclaims itself to have "drinkability." Wow...a liquid with the ability to be consumed, who'd have thought it? A shampoo says it delivers "hair so strong, it shines." Since when did shine become a hallmark of strength? "That ugly perfume fragrance is so strong you're shiny." "Did you see how that weightlifter shined? I needed special glasses just to look at him."
Remember when words meant something? When being able to speak and write well was something to be respected and admired? Now being able to shorten entire sentences to a gibberish collection of symbols is viewed as the epitome of cool. Can anyone really admire the ability to text "C U L8er?" I hate that American culture is being reduced to the equivalent of the text on a vanity plate.
And there are so many insipid words and phrases that show no reluctance to die. "Think outside of the box." Here's a tip folks, don't get in the fucking box to begin with. "Superstar." Half the time that word is applied to someone I've never heard of and who is famous solely for being famous. Then there's the relentless shortening of words. "Phenom," for instance. That one gets me because not only is it annoying, but it invariably refers to someone or something barely adequate, let alone phenomenal.
I love old movies, and one of the reasons why is because the scripts are so good. The dialog is witty and assumes the audience has a brain. Or the plot is suspenseful (rather than merely stupid interludes waiting for the next disembowelment) and the characters speak like people you'd like to meet, as opposed to someone you'd cross the street to avoid. And everyone speaks in complete sentences, in actual English. They don't speak in shorthand. And the lines are memorable. "Here's looking at you, kid" will never be forgotten. "You are one phat ho, mama." can't be forgotten soon enough.
Cat of the Week: Brodi
Brodi shares a condo with five other cats and while several of them could easily have been my CotW, she really stood out. She claimed the middle of my lap, but happily shared with PussNBoots and Belle and I had a lapful. She's very sweet and affectionate, gentle, good-natured, and loves to purr. She and Puss seem to be especially close, grooming each other and falling asleep in my lap with paws around each other. (Talk about "awww.")
This little grey and white cutie (ID A442558) will make someone a wonderful companion. If you're very lucky, she might be yours. Find out more at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA website.
Cat of the Week Update: Motley and Mikey have both been adopted!! I am so happy. And I'm really going to miss Motley. When I woke up this morning I was already looking forward to a good face-licking, but am thrilled she's found a home. Whoever is Motley's new family is very, very lucky. Several other of my favorites have also been adopted (it's been a great week), including Satch, Gouda, and Addidas. I'll miss them all, but I'm so happy to know they now have full-time laps. Especially Motley, she was very special and so deserving of a good, loving home.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Story of India
Husband and I are really enjoying The Story of India a six-part PBS series hosted by Michael Wood. It's a fascinating show, beautifully photographed and presented and full of "I didn't know that" moments. India is one of those places that has always fascinated me. And yet, oddly enough, I've never really thought about visiting there. I'd probably catch something fatal, because I am just that unlucky.
But this is a way of vicariously learning about this ancient and glorious civilization. The first episode traced the origins of Sanskrit and the Indian peoples. Episode two, which we've just finished watching, is about India's spiritual past, specifically Buddha and the ancient kings who searched for enlightenment.
If you have any interest in India, or even if you're just looking for some literate, fascinating TV, check out this series. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Husband and I are really enjoying The Story of India a six-part PBS series hosted by Michael Wood. It's a fascinating show, beautifully photographed and presented and full of "I didn't know that" moments. India is one of those places that has always fascinated me. And yet, oddly enough, I've never really thought about visiting there. I'd probably catch something fatal, because I am just that unlucky.
But this is a way of vicariously learning about this ancient and glorious civilization. The first episode traced the origins of Sanskrit and the Indian peoples. Episode two, which we've just finished watching, is about India's spiritual past, specifically Buddha and the ancient kings who searched for enlightenment.
If you have any interest in India, or even if you're just looking for some literate, fascinating TV, check out this series. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Photo of the day: Purple
I love the purple flowers that grow in the iceplant in front of our house. There's a nice covering of them thanks to this warm weather and it always makes me smile when I open the curtains in the morning and see them. Purple is my favorite color...for things. Not on me. On me I just look like the Fruit of the Loom Grapes.
I love the purple flowers that grow in the iceplant in front of our house. There's a nice covering of them thanks to this warm weather and it always makes me smile when I open the curtains in the morning and see them. Purple is my favorite color...for things. Not on me. On me I just look like the Fruit of the Loom Grapes.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A real sports hero
Bravo to Florida State safety Myron Rolle who is delaying his entry into the NFL draft to attend Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship. He still plans to enter the NFL and then would like to go to med school and then open a free clinic in the Bahamas.
So nice to read of someone putting education ahead of sports/money and with a social conscience as well.
Bravo to Florida State safety Myron Rolle who is delaying his entry into the NFL draft to attend Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship. He still plans to enter the NFL and then would like to go to med school and then open a free clinic in the Bahamas.
So nice to read of someone putting education ahead of sports/money and with a social conscience as well.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Photo of the day: What?
Camera is in NYC with Husband, so my Photo of the Day entry is dependent upon what I have stored in iPhoto. Oddly enough, I have lots of photos of Cipher (The World's Most Amazing Cat, Screw You if You Don't Agree tm) so that's what you're getting. This is her "why are you bothering me with that black flashy thing?" look. I'm usually intimidated enough to put the camera down. For a beautiful cat, she often takes a lousy picture. (Then again, I often take a lousy picture too.)
Camera is in NYC with Husband, so my Photo of the Day entry is dependent upon what I have stored in iPhoto. Oddly enough, I have lots of photos of Cipher (The World's Most Amazing Cat, Screw You if You Don't Agree tm) so that's what you're getting. This is her "why are you bothering me with that black flashy thing?" look. I'm usually intimidated enough to put the camera down. For a beautiful cat, she often takes a lousy picture. (Then again, I often take a lousy picture too.)
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