Randomness Unveiled

Enter Randomness—a free association if you will. A new addition emerges; welcome to my head: a blog degeneration or an inevitable evolution? we'll see. Most won't care for these daily/weekly tidbits so instead, enjoy my article links and hopefully you'll come back soon. If I lose you, onwards and upwards.

Speaking of "onwards and upwards," does anyone know where this overly-used saying originated. I actually don't know for certain so please refrain from quoting me for your own dissertation, but I believe this comes from a play by the great Thornton Wilder: Our Town. I miss those days of playing George Gibbs. Sometimes I dust off the cover and start memorizing the lines again just to see where my emotions go. For anyone who has acted, falling into such a state is, on one hand exhausting and on the other hand, addicting. Even with a character as innocent as George, the mind immediately jumps back into the preparation: you become the character again. My stage experience is limited so I don't really know what I'm talking about.

Until tomorrow, next week, or later in the day, of course...

"What the Heck is E-mail?"

Electronic mail ad from 1977

"Daddy, What's Internet Explorer?"

Internet Explorer is horrible. If you are not using Firefox, you have issues with your head.

Daggle article.

Goog411

A company that just gets it:
1.800.GOOG.411

"First Artificial Life 'Within Months'"

Telegraph.co.uk article.

Enter Stage Left: The Fashion Industry

In order for Hollywood to compete in the Digital Age they need a total revamp of the movie-going experience—a major paradigm shift as they say. I don't know if it is going to be effective—home theatre will soon be preferred by many—but 3-D is about to get a serious makeover. Once the fashion industry jumps into the mix everyone is going to want a pair of movie sunglasses; theatres are going to get more comfortable: no more rubbing elbows with the person next to you; the popcorn will be coming to us—so will the characters on the screen.

Nostalgia

What would we do without it? Ask someone who just found out they are in the early stages of Alzheimer's and I bet they'll tell you it'll be one of the things they will miss the most. Nostalgia hurts: it's a feeling that always seems to ache the chest. When we are smart and lucky enough to take the time to feel the past—the core of what nostalgia is—it makes the heart feel heavy to the point where you need to sit down. Is there a better feeling? I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong: I love to be happy—bring on the smiles, role out the laughter—but too much of it is boring. Most of the time, I much prefer nostalgia. I seem to learn a hell of a lot more.

"LucasArts' Talks Wii Lightsaber Game"

Recently, my brother sold his Wii. I have a feeling he will be regretting this decision very soon.
LucasArts' Talks Wii
I'm not a big gamer, but the Wii is fantastically fun.

Video Vault: Damien Rice, Amie

This is the only version of the song I could find; it's absolutely remarkable where he goes with it (notice around 3:20 down to 3:09). It's no Blower's Daughter, but it's beautiful nonetheless.

Reminder

A quick reminder to the thousands of people who read my blog each day: if you are ever in the mood for a good trailer or quick book summary, the lists on the right column contain live links.

Thanks for reading. Hope to see you back tomorrow (or later in the day, of course).
B

"Google Earth Zooms In on Darfur Genocide"

Incredible.
Another related article.

Video Vault: Mr. Rogers

This will most likely be the only time I snatch a post from my brother (thanks Coop), but after weeks of reflection, stealing became the only option. This is an amazing video; for my kid's sake I sure hope we can somehow find our way back to such values:

"Study Says Eldest Children Have Higher I.Q.s"

Interesting study and an equally interesting follow-up article.

Most certainly an aberration in my family—it's actually the opposite, I believe.

Article: "Waiter, There’s Deer in My Sushi"

I'd try it as long as it's cooked (I inherited the worst stomach in the history of stomachs from my mom)

"French Super-Speed Train Line Drives Europe's Modernization"

Exciting news for Western Europe junkies.

"Move the Train With Your Brain"

Bend the spoon Neo

"Out of This World: 60 Years of Flying Saucers"

Happy birthday flying saucer concept.

Ode to a Time I Received Affection from My Brother

"Shark Bite Leads to Reproduction Mystery"

Interesting article.

Sometimes I Post Random Photos: Merry Christmas

Sometimes People Go to the Zoo

First Look: Where The Wild Things Are

Article: Where The Wild Things Are

The best part is that it'll be directed by Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich and Adaptation: both great movies).

Video Vault: Fielding Mellish, Bananas

Video Vault: Joshua Radin, Closer

AFI's Top 100 Movies

Casablanca should not have dropped to #3; how Woody Allen does not show up until #35 is a joke; the lack of newer films--Kill Bill Volumes, Braveheart, Usual Suspects, to name a few--seems to detract from the list's credibility. Still a good resource for great films.
AFI's Top 100

As With All Great Movies—Watch it Alone: Two Girls and a Guy

There's a feeling that I get, every so often, that's hard to explain. Whenever I'm lucky enough to be blind-sided by it, I do one of four things: I start working on the blueprints of my someday-to-be international travel abroad company; I start working on ideas for the next great screenplay; I start reading great screenplays written by great minds; or I turn to Robert Downey's Jr. unwanted masterpiece Two Girls and a Guy. I made the mistake once of telling my sister-in-law that this was one of my favorite movies; to this day, I get the feeling I am the last person she would ever ask for a popcorn-laden, Saturday night movie recommendation. Time to make the mistake again: this is one of my favorite movies.

RDJ's performance, in this stage-like classic, is nothing short of brilliant; Wagner's performance is borderline painful; while I've turned off most of Heather Graham's movies, she actually delivers here. My writing isn't good enough to provide a review, so I'll direct you here for that. But I must say that Downey's performance is a clinic for actors. It's not a perfect movie; it's not a perfect performance--but in an age where Hollywood continues to produce commercial trash, this small movie stands as a reminder of the power of film and performance.

Like you should do at least once with all great movies--watch it alone. If I ever find the courage to go back into acting, this performance would be one of the reasons why.

Video Vault: Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars

Too bad this song got overplayed on the radio. Great song nonetheless; also a great show.

"Taxes a Pleasure? Check the Brain Scan"

Statistical Outliers:

NY Times: "Taxes a Pleasure? Check the Brain Scan"

Tunnels, The New Harry Potter

Could boy archaeologist be next Harry Potter?

A secret world underneath London? A boy archaeologist's journey to the center of the earth? Yes please.

I'm on Book 5 of the Potter series and am enjoying every second.

Video Vault: Damien Rice, 9 Crimes (Live)

Another brilliant song from Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan:

Video Vault: Dave Matthews, Stay or Leave

Definitely one of Dave's best and most brilliantly performed songs:

Video Vault: Damien Rice, Blower's Daughter

Possibly the greatest song of my generation. I'm not sure if it gets much better than this:

Video Vault: Ayn Rand Interview (by Mike Wallace) 1959

A. Rand - Mike Wallace Interview 1959

Preface: Ayn Rand takes many of her ideas to an extreme that, to a lot of people, are arrogant and uncomfortable. I am nowhere close to understanding the principles of her philosophy; this interview is about as far as I want to go to get to know her; her characters, on the other hand, now that's a different story. What I admire about Rand was her courage to take a stance. She interpreted life in a unique and unwavering way and believed in a system of thought that is rooted in reason and sustained by men and women who are willing to delve—even if the people around them watch with scorn—into the true nature of selfishness. I do not consider myself an "Objectivist": to do so would be, for me, limiting and irresponsible. While there's certainly a great deal that I subscribe to here, I'm just a guy trying to figure out where I stand.

Video Vault: The Fountainheaded

Nothing wrong with a little Ayn Rand comedy. At least she's being made fun of by geniuses:

In Solitude Together

It doesn't really make sense why I have not posted yet on The Fountainhead. Maybe it's because I don't want to share my thoughts with the world; maybe I've been afraid of the influence such thinking will lead in terms of action (ridiculous); maybe I've started to be influenced by what others think of Rand, her philosophy, and her two books (Atlas Shrugged being the second most read book to the Bible; I finished The Fountainhead years ago and I am 700+ pages into Atlas). Regardless of the reason, as I get older, I am realizing that it is now impossible for me not to think about the issues she tackles—objectivism, selfishness, solitude, the individual, politics—or the characters she brilliantly created. By no means do I think The Fountainhead is a great piece of prose literature when compared to the likes of Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms or The Sun Also Rises, but it is the most influential piece of writing that I have ever read.

I need an outlet for the emotion that I feel when I think of this book; when something happens in my life that forces me to wake up, break out and fight the complacency and monotony that our culture produces, I need a place to go; I need a place that will help me remember those days where I spent countless hours trying to understand what the hell she was trying to say. Since I go to this blog everyday, and because I am so busy, why not have that outlet be here: it's safe; it's personal; it's mine. It's not like anyone is actually reading this anyway.

"Ancient Rome Reborn in Virtual Reality"

MSNBC.com article

Video Vault: Plain White Ts, Hey There Delilah

Atlas Shrugged Coming to Big Screen

Do yourself a life-changing favor and read the book before going to the movie. At second thought, if you are going to commit to such a lengthy book, you may want to read The Fountainhead first. At third thought, don't watch this movie at all; these books do not deserve to be minimized into a 2 hour highlight-reel.

"Scandals Lead Execs to 'Atlas Shrugged'"

USA Today article

Running Movie List

Paris, Je T'aime (HD Trailer)
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (HD Trailer)

Philip K. Dick: A Sage of the Future Whose Time Has Finally Come

Perfect timing with one of my more recent posts...

New York Times Article:
"Philip K. Dick: A Sage of the Future Whose Time Has Finally Come" by BRENT STAPLES

Clinton, Romney Lead in New Hampshire Polls

Running Reading List: No More Excuses

“Tragic Sense of Life” by Miguel de Unamuno (Added June '07)
Everything is Illuminated (Added June '07)
The Yiddish Policemen's Union (Added June '07)

Google Releases Calendar Directory