I may have mentioned it before, but there is a blog I visit regularly for laughs and fondant - Cake Wrecks. As someone who has a dear friend who was a pastry chef and who took some cake decorating classes once upon a time, the things these people find are hilarious. The Super Bowl edition can be found here.
As an Eagles fan, my rooting interest this Sunday is for an act of God. If both teams could lose, that would be great. Since that isn't a realistic option, I'll take the Steelers just because. I hope it's an interesting game so I don't snack constantly and end up with a stomach ache.
Just in case some of you are not acquainted with the annual United States ritual of Super Bowl watching, the Boston Globe has kindly provided some etiquette tips for you here. On one hand, the article is stupid, meaning common sense would bring you to these conclusions. On the other hand, some people are even more stupid and need someone to tell them what acceptable social behavior is. On the third hand, we are talking about sports fans here. Overly enthusiastic, often drunk, expletive spewing, not the sharpest bunch sometimes... myself included.
The over/under on the National Anthem is 2 minutes. Look people, - and I say this as a singer - the National Anthem is not fucking American Idol. We do not want to hear you wring every note dry while trying to prove how wonderful you are. People paid to see the game, not your dumb warbling ass. So sing the song and let the game start. I know it's a very hard song to sing, written by a sadist if you ask me, so congratulations on your coup. But for Pete's sake, get your ego out of the way and do your job. Oy. Is that too much to ask?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Racism, Part 2
I'm fighting a small headcold today, so I'm not gonna make this long. I did want to get this out and contribute to the cause in some small way.
I watch anime and have seen "Avatar: The Last Airbender" a couple times and enjoyed it. It seemed to be well written and fun, so it's easy for me to want to raise awareness of a common idiotic tendency in Hollywood using it as an example. There is a movie being made of the "Avatar" series and the main characters, Asian characters, are being voiced by whites. Minorities in general are marginalized or ignored by Hollywood as a matter of course. I can't stand to look at David Carridine after I heard how "Kung Fu" got stolen from Bruce Lee. Ian and I almost got thrown out of "Prince of Egypt" for loudly heckling the anglo facial features and English accents of some of the characters. I appreciate Hattie McDaniel's portrayal of Mammy in "Gone With the Wind" and that she won an Oscar for it, but it is still hard to watch at times. A lot has changed over the years, it is true, but Black people will often be found complaining loudly at real or perceived slights to our identity. I have not heard Asian Americans making the same ruckus. If you'd like to read more about this and/or get involved, please click here. The post is long, but very good. I'm not a visual artist, but I'm going to send a letter, too. Couldn't hurt, might help.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Cold & Rainy Sunday Boredom
Perhaps boredom loves company, or maybe I just wanna be that annoying friend with pictures from their vacation to show you. You be the judge. There are only a few, so don't get all freaked out...
Casey & I went to Phoenix and parts thereabout over the New Years holiday. We rented a car after a couple days of struggling to get around. I managed to get a speeding ticket. Imagine that... Tracy speeding... We saw Styx on New Years Eve, drove up to Sedona & Flagstaff (where it was snowing), went to some artists' open studios, and toured Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. A really good trip! The pics of Taliesin West are forthcoming due to technical difficulties.
And the snow between Sedona and Flagstaff! The shot of me is "Subject Questioning the Eye of the Artiste".
Casey & I went to Phoenix and parts thereabout over the New Years holiday. We rented a car after a couple days of struggling to get around. I managed to get a speeding ticket. Imagine that... Tracy speeding... We saw Styx on New Years Eve, drove up to Sedona & Flagstaff (where it was snowing), went to some artists' open studios, and toured Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. A really good trip! The pics of Taliesin West are forthcoming due to technical difficulties.
Since I'm a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, we went to the Arizona Biltmore, which he consulted on. Fell in love with one of the fountains.
Outside an exquisite little church jutting out of the red rock in Sedona, Casey spied this shot.
Outside an exquisite little church jutting out of the red rock in Sedona, Casey spied this shot.
And the snow between Sedona and Flagstaff! The shot of me is "Subject Questioning the Eye of the Artiste".
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Blurbs
You hear those stories about people who persevere through daily, nagging pain. People whose physical problems "don't slow them down!". I am not one of those people. I may be determined, headstrong or downright stubborn, but when I'm in pain and I can't do what I want to do, I am one grouchy mofo. I have been alternately treating and trying to ignore a pulled muscle in my hip for about a week and the fucker is getting the better of me. Now I'm just mad. Mad at my body not healing more quickly. Mad that I have to spend money getting it treated. Mad that I have to go get the ice pack now - and will be every hour or so for the rest of the day. Somebody bring the big baby some ice cream...
I got this link from my Dad. My parents' alma mater, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (formerly known as Arkansas AM&N) represented at the inaugural parade! Don't know how they got the invitation but I'm feeling the pride, too. If you don't like marching bands, don't click here. I think they sound really good! And I'm pretty brutal when it comes to recording/amplification of marching bands. It usually sucks.
I got this link from my Dad. My parents' alma mater, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (formerly known as Arkansas AM&N) represented at the inaugural parade! Don't know how they got the invitation but I'm feeling the pride, too. If you don't like marching bands, don't click here. I think they sound really good! And I'm pretty brutal when it comes to recording/amplification of marching bands. It usually sucks.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Nicely Put
There are many things to be said about the inauguration and our new President. I don' t think I could say my observations and thoughts if I tried. A few snippets:
I am very proud of the 1.4 million people who made the effort to be in D.C. They got up hellaciously early, stood in the 20-some-odd degree weather for hours and dispursed without a single arrest. Well done.
I thought the benediction was great. A little long, but just fine. For those of us who grew up with long winded black preachers, it felt like home. I particularly enjoyed the unabashedly 60's vibe in the part about different colors of people. I'm all for a bit of humor, especially if it makes a point.
Another reminder of black churches: Aretha's hat. Seems that there was some talk about that hat and how it competed for attention with her singing. Well, I wasn't watching her sing, I was listening. When Aretha sings, you listen. And as far as big hats go, that was downright restrained compared to many I saw while going to church. Black women be wearin' hats...
The President's speech (so fun to not have to say President Elect!!) had the right tone even though a lot of us were looking for the next big quotable oratory a la JFK. What I took from it was it's time for some tough decision making and for people to pull together for the common good. It will not be a quick process, but we will remake America's image into something we can all be proud of. I'm in.
I get a little daily sports digest from Len Berman (less irritating brother of Chris). It is fairly entertaining and free, so what the heck. This is an excerpt from this morning's email. I think it is nicely put:
"Sad to see how frail Muhammad Ali looked as he took his seat at the inauguration. And ironic. He was a "hero" to black Americans much like Magic Johnson who was also there yesterday. Names like Joe Louis, and Jackie Robinson quickly come to mind. How many sports stars had to assume the role of "hero" over the years? Yesterday, the torch was finally passed to a President."
I am very proud of the 1.4 million people who made the effort to be in D.C. They got up hellaciously early, stood in the 20-some-odd degree weather for hours and dispursed without a single arrest. Well done.
I thought the benediction was great. A little long, but just fine. For those of us who grew up with long winded black preachers, it felt like home. I particularly enjoyed the unabashedly 60's vibe in the part about different colors of people. I'm all for a bit of humor, especially if it makes a point.
Another reminder of black churches: Aretha's hat. Seems that there was some talk about that hat and how it competed for attention with her singing. Well, I wasn't watching her sing, I was listening. When Aretha sings, you listen. And as far as big hats go, that was downright restrained compared to many I saw while going to church. Black women be wearin' hats...
The President's speech (so fun to not have to say President Elect!!) had the right tone even though a lot of us were looking for the next big quotable oratory a la JFK. What I took from it was it's time for some tough decision making and for people to pull together for the common good. It will not be a quick process, but we will remake America's image into something we can all be proud of. I'm in.
I get a little daily sports digest from Len Berman (less irritating brother of Chris). It is fairly entertaining and free, so what the heck. This is an excerpt from this morning's email. I think it is nicely put:
"Sad to see how frail Muhammad Ali looked as he took his seat at the inauguration. And ironic. He was a "hero" to black Americans much like Magic Johnson who was also there yesterday. Names like Joe Louis, and Jackie Robinson quickly come to mind. How many sports stars had to assume the role of "hero" over the years? Yesterday, the torch was finally passed to a President."
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Anatomy of a Playoff Loss
- Outcoached in the first half.
- Dropped passes, mostly in the first half.
- Bad tackling.
- Hideous, appalling, inept officiating. The "Jordan Rules" of football.*
I am angry.
I may vomit.
Why do I love football so much?
Shit.
*ESPN The Magazine had an interesting article on home field advantage in the 1/12/09 issue.
Friday, January 16, 2009
California Dreamin'
As some of you know, I have been falling out of love with the state of California over the past 5 years or so. Do not get me wrong. I know I am I product of this state: cold weather wimp, food snob, beach comber, etc. I know that when I leave, I will become homesick at some point. However, the politics and overall economy of The Golden State have become nothing short of nauseating. Let's have an example, shall we?
California May Delay Tax Refunds
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Facing a severe cash crunch, California may delay sending out tax refunds, aid to needy residents, money for some state services and payments to businesses, the state's controller said Friday.
State controller John Chiang said in a press release that expected cash shortages in February "will force him to delay some critical payments next month," including money owed to businesses for services provided to the state, rent and food aid for older and disabled Californians. Money for certain state services and tax refunds for 2008 taxes will also be affected.
Payments for education and debt service have first claim on the state's general fund under the state constitution, federal law and court rulings. If state lawmakers don't address the budget situation, failing to delay certain other payments will put the state $346 million in the red in February and $5.2 billion in the red by April, the controller said.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called on state lawmakers to close the state's steep budget deficit, expected to hit $42 billion over the next 18 months.
If you'd like to read more on this, here you go. I'm not going to pretend that there is some other state that is perfect, but this shit is pretty sad.
California May Delay Tax Refunds
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Facing a severe cash crunch, California may delay sending out tax refunds, aid to needy residents, money for some state services and payments to businesses, the state's controller said Friday.
State controller John Chiang said in a press release that expected cash shortages in February "will force him to delay some critical payments next month," including money owed to businesses for services provided to the state, rent and food aid for older and disabled Californians. Money for certain state services and tax refunds for 2008 taxes will also be affected.
Payments for education and debt service have first claim on the state's general fund under the state constitution, federal law and court rulings. If state lawmakers don't address the budget situation, failing to delay certain other payments will put the state $346 million in the red in February and $5.2 billion in the red by April, the controller said.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called on state lawmakers to close the state's steep budget deficit, expected to hit $42 billion over the next 18 months.
If you'd like to read more on this, here you go. I'm not going to pretend that there is some other state that is perfect, but this shit is pretty sad.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Racism, Part 1
The adolescent in me is being challenged yet again. In the sad and confusing case of the death of Oscar Grant in Oakland, CA, I have many conflicting thoughts and feelings. If you haven't heard about this, here are the basics: 22 year old black man is shot in the back and killed (while face down on the ground) by a white security officer in a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. This was on New Year's day, I believe.
So.
Oakland being mostly african american, the cry of racism was quick and violent. There have been protests. There has been vandalism. There is outrage. There is hyberbole. I understand all of that. Story after story of police brutality, excessive force, and inexplicable shootings with few to no consequences make minorities a little jumpy, particularly black folk. Our history in the country has been less than a vacation with umbrella drinks. So when there's yet another report - complete with witness videos - that indicate a black man has been killed by an authority figure for no apparent reason, things get extremely bad extremely fast.
My personal experiences with overt racism have been few and never involved police. (There are many reasons for that and if you want to know them, I'd be happy to tell you about that some other time.) But just because I haven't been pulled over for driving while black doesn't mean I'm not sick and angry when it appears someone has been harmed because of how they look. And were I of a different temperment, I'd go break some shit in anticipation of the security officer getting a stern talking to as his punishment for taking an unarmed man's life. Why should I expect any different outcome? I remember the Rodney King incident quite well. I stayed home watching the news and crying the day those officers were found not guilty and Los Angeles burned. Now Rodney King is a punchline.
In relation to my lack of personal experience with The Man, I am still surprised at people's lack of compassion for the realities of being a minority. In fact, I have trouble believing that it's merely lack of compassion anymore. It's fear. If those who have prospered from the status quo are forced to look at how that system is built, they will see how blind they have chosen to be and how precarious their position is. They will also have to wonder who will come to their defense when injustice comes calling. That's a scary place to live from. That kind of uncertainty no one wants to sign up for willingly.
So.
Oakland being mostly african american, the cry of racism was quick and violent. There have been protests. There has been vandalism. There is outrage. There is hyberbole. I understand all of that. Story after story of police brutality, excessive force, and inexplicable shootings with few to no consequences make minorities a little jumpy, particularly black folk. Our history in the country has been less than a vacation with umbrella drinks. So when there's yet another report - complete with witness videos - that indicate a black man has been killed by an authority figure for no apparent reason, things get extremely bad extremely fast.
My personal experiences with overt racism have been few and never involved police. (There are many reasons for that and if you want to know them, I'd be happy to tell you about that some other time.) But just because I haven't been pulled over for driving while black doesn't mean I'm not sick and angry when it appears someone has been harmed because of how they look. And were I of a different temperment, I'd go break some shit in anticipation of the security officer getting a stern talking to as his punishment for taking an unarmed man's life. Why should I expect any different outcome? I remember the Rodney King incident quite well. I stayed home watching the news and crying the day those officers were found not guilty and Los Angeles burned. Now Rodney King is a punchline.
In relation to my lack of personal experience with The Man, I am still surprised at people's lack of compassion for the realities of being a minority. In fact, I have trouble believing that it's merely lack of compassion anymore. It's fear. If those who have prospered from the status quo are forced to look at how that system is built, they will see how blind they have chosen to be and how precarious their position is. They will also have to wonder who will come to their defense when injustice comes calling. That's a scary place to live from. That kind of uncertainty no one wants to sign up for willingly.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Phoenix Airport, 7:45am
A week's vacation and lack of sleep can turn any place into Bizarro World, but there is something special about airports. When I worked at Fisherman's Wharf in SF, I told people that if they wanted to see a cross-section of the world, just hang around there for a while. I still believe that's true, but airports take it to a new level - low or high, take your pick.
First, while sipping my coffee and not having it effect my weariness in the least, I noticed that there was something about the people in this terminal that was particularly offensive. I just figured there were too many chipper humans running around under the bright lights, but on closer inspection I discovered that my aversion was caused by that sickly rust-orange of Texas fan apparel. (When did they stop wearing that almost neon orange? At least it was an honest color. It seared your eye sockets and that was it.) Longhorn Fan was everywhere! I'm half surprised they weren't whoopin' and hollerin' over their win yesterday. Musta been all whooped out by a quarter to eight in the morning. Their incredibly bland whiteness, accented with cartoonish accents and big-hair dye jobs, made me sad that I had eaten breakfast. Had my stomach been empty, it may not have been so bad.
Their sheer numbers reminded me of the sports bar we went to on Sunday to watch the Eagles/Vikings game. Upper Deck Sports Grill in Scottsdale was a sea of green! I love my Jerseys folks, but it was nice to be in an entire bar that's full of Philly fans. I think there were about 60 fans there, maybe more. The bar was 2 stories, had a ton of screens, played Philly themed music pre-game and during commercials (even busted out "Green Acres" after "2" kicked that last field goal), and played a recording of the fight song after TDs. The people were friendly, the waitress was great considering the crowd, and the food was very good. I have to give Upper Deck props. And I have no idea why Philly is still in the playoffs. Just don't know... ya got me...
Saw something you don't see every day: a little girl, maybe 6 years old, trailing her mother thru the airport, clutching her obviously beloved doll - white girl, black doll. She probably thought something was wrong with me (and there generally is) the way I kept looking at the doll, trying to come to a conclusion as to its ethnicity. I just don't think I've ever seen that. Right on, little girl!
First, while sipping my coffee and not having it effect my weariness in the least, I noticed that there was something about the people in this terminal that was particularly offensive. I just figured there were too many chipper humans running around under the bright lights, but on closer inspection I discovered that my aversion was caused by that sickly rust-orange of Texas fan apparel. (When did they stop wearing that almost neon orange? At least it was an honest color. It seared your eye sockets and that was it.) Longhorn Fan was everywhere! I'm half surprised they weren't whoopin' and hollerin' over their win yesterday. Musta been all whooped out by a quarter to eight in the morning. Their incredibly bland whiteness, accented with cartoonish accents and big-hair dye jobs, made me sad that I had eaten breakfast. Had my stomach been empty, it may not have been so bad.
Their sheer numbers reminded me of the sports bar we went to on Sunday to watch the Eagles/Vikings game. Upper Deck Sports Grill in Scottsdale was a sea of green! I love my Jerseys folks, but it was nice to be in an entire bar that's full of Philly fans. I think there were about 60 fans there, maybe more. The bar was 2 stories, had a ton of screens, played Philly themed music pre-game and during commercials (even busted out "Green Acres" after "2" kicked that last field goal), and played a recording of the fight song after TDs. The people were friendly, the waitress was great considering the crowd, and the food was very good. I have to give Upper Deck props. And I have no idea why Philly is still in the playoffs. Just don't know... ya got me...
Saw something you don't see every day: a little girl, maybe 6 years old, trailing her mother thru the airport, clutching her obviously beloved doll - white girl, black doll. She probably thought something was wrong with me (and there generally is) the way I kept looking at the doll, trying to come to a conclusion as to its ethnicity. I just don't think I've ever seen that. Right on, little girl!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
