tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133245512024-03-13T07:09:45.394-04:00The World According To MarcMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-41003497771148048012009-03-03T17:25:00.002-05:002010-03-20T17:31:54.446-04:00Quote of the DayAfter "someone invented it years ago," the NY House delegation now uses the slang term getting "Schumed" to describe "being upstaged by" Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://thehill.com/in-the-know/getting-schumed-new-york-pols-used-to-it-but-dont-necessarily-like-it-2009-03-02.html">The Hill</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, March 2, 2009</span><br /></div>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-16348155414398695312009-01-28T01:55:00.004-05:002009-01-28T02:05:10.766-05:00Plug for My Sistas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.storeandstyle.com/images/articles/xenia%20tree2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 135px;" src="http://www.storeandstyle.com/images/articles/xenia%20tree2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My oldest and youngest sister have gone into business together. Their mission? To use their OCD to better the world. Their vehicle? Their new website <a href="http://www.storeandstyle.com/index.php">Store & Style</a>. Give it a whirl and see what you think. Oh... and sign up for their <a href="http://www.storeandstyle.com/giveaway.php">free weekly giveaway</a>. It'll boost their website traffic and help them land more advertisers. (Oh... and get anyone else you know to sign up too)Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-3692010020462658002008-11-25T09:21:00.002-05:002008-11-25T09:24:29.378-05:00She's My WifersMelbo <a href="http://alphabet-garten.blogspot.com/2008/11/bilingual-parenting-from-start.html">gets interviewed</a> on our efforts to speak German to E.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-86538701752562880052008-11-22T23:42:00.010-05:002016-04-05T22:59:12.388-04:00Chinese Democracy<a href="http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-1guns.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-1guns.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 225px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 228px;" /></a>I figured the long-awaited release of Guns 'N Roses' almost-mythic, seventeen-years-in-the-making, just-about-stopped-believing-we'd-ever-see-it album <span style="font-style: italic;">Chinese Democracy</span> was a worthy note on which to make my less-eagerly-anticipated but still almost-stopped-believing-we'd-ever-see-it return to my personal blog.<br />
<br />
For those unaware, I was quite-the-dedicated G'N'R fan back in the day (much to my father's chagrin, who disapprovingly used to try to steal my albums before I finally wore him down). Back when I was a sophmore, I used to hit ski slopes listening to <span style="font-style: italic;">Use Your Illusion II</span> (hearing the song Breakdown still makes me think of getting first tracks on Snowbird's <a href="http://www.skiing311.net/skiing/images/2005-2006/2006_03_24_snowbird_0045.jpg">Little Cloud</a> bowl. Driving home from midnight movies, dances, or nights out with friends, I'd often take the long way home just to crank another song like <span style="font-style: italic;">Welcome to the Jungle</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rocket Queen</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Freight Train, Civil War </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Sweet Child o' Mine</span> (I could do a mean air-guitar on the steering column). And I'd even perfected what I thought at the time was a pretty solid Axl-impression (though I now seriously question how good it ever was).<br />
<br />
While clearly not the fan I once was, I have to admit to being excited about the release of <span style="font-style: italic;">Chinese Democracy</span>. Rumors of its pending release have popped up so often over the years that I've long since written them off. But it's here... and despite approaching it with some<span style="font-style: italic;"> serious</span> doubts (<span style="font-style: italic;">see, e.g</span>., Rose's disasterous performance at the MTV music awards a couple of years back), the album is actually half decent. It officially drops tomorrow, but has been <a href="http://www.myspace.com/gunsnroses">available on myspace</a> since Thursday. In that time I've managed to give it a couple of whirls and it's grown on me.<br />
<br />
Given the album's seventeen-year genesis, it's no surprise that the album sounds a little over-produced, but the songs are also all pretty tight with little to no flab. The ridiculous number of musicians that contributed to the project over the years is apparent and it cuts into the album's consistency at points (and the absence of original bandmates, most notably Slash, is sorely felt), but hearing Axl's scratchy falcetto is oddly refreshing. His lyrics are often pretty incomprehensible, but in truth they're no worse than the lyrics of countless other artists I love (<span style="font-style: italic;">see, e.g</span>., Dave Matthews or Ben Harper). The album is an eclectic mix of sounds, genres, and styles, but, even with its sometimes over-produced feel, you still hear a little of the angry, raw, and scrappy G'N'R of yore. Here are some random somewhat unorganized thoughts I had about<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Axl's solo effort (while I sit and wonder just what it would have been like had he actually managed to get the band back together to finish this one off):<br />
<br />
I love the intro rif on the title track. I think that <span style="font-style: italic;">Better</span> manages to do a good job capturing the old G'N'R sound. <span style="font-style: italic;">Street of Dreams</span> is a solid ballad. <span style="font-style: italic;">There was a Time </span>is extraordinarily rich -- with about a million things going on -- but it just works. Songs like <span style="font-style: italic;">Raid N' The Bedouins</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">I.R.S.</span> rock pretty hard. There is a me-against-the-world feel to the album, with Axl all-too-conspicuously comparing himself to none-other than famed-recluse and media-phobe J.D. Salinger in <span style="font-style: italic;">Catcher in the Rye</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry </span></span>almost seems like a fitting note to end the whole thing on... with you not quite sure whether he's singing to the women or the bandmates he notoriously battled with over the years.<br />
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In sum, I think <span style="font-style: italic;">Chinese Democracy</span> is Rose's answer to the consistent chorus of criticism (much of it not too far off target) that has hounded him since Guns 'N Roses broke up the better part of two decades ago. It's Axl's chance to try and cement his legacy as one of rock's gifted, but tortured-souls and to make all the nay-sayers eat a little crow. And I have to say, I don't mind doing eating it at all.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-22142228293153980282008-04-29T09:36:00.001-04:002008-04-29T09:38:06.704-04:00TherapySick of the never-ending campaign cycle? Take a spin <a href="http://www.nypost.com/spsections/hill_vs_obama/">on this</a> and call me in the morning.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-5019891487770418622008-04-26T22:04:00.007-04:002008-04-27T11:50:39.204-04:00Cliched OutI've held my peace for too long. It's time to speak out against a troubling trend that seems to be gaining momentum.<br /><br />First it was the<span style="font-style: italic;"> Horse Whisperer</span>. The man who understood and had a way with troubled horses. This was fine. It was new and kind of interesting. Next came the <span style="font-style: italic;">Dog Whisperer</span>, who, like the Horse Whisperer, could relate to and correct the behavior of difficult animals. A play off of the original, this too was bearable. Then someone decided the <span style="font-style: italic;">Ghost Whisperer</span> would be cute. A woman with the uncanny ability to reach beyond the veil and communicate with troubled spirits. This is where things really began to veer off-course. Clue #1: Anything involving <a href="http://www.flashfilmworks.com/MovieGuide/ghost_whisperer/poster.bmp">Jennifer Love Hewitt</a> should probably give you pause.<br /><br />Now... now apparently there's the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/26/AR2008042601287.html?hpid=topnews">Breast Whisperer</a>.<br /><br />Who seriously thought this was a good idea? I mean, I completely empathize with how frustrating breastfeeding can be. It certainly didn't come naturally to E and <a href="http://www.tossedgreens.blogspot.com/">Melbo</a>. (After two weeks of trying, I became a huge<span style="font-style: italic;"> Similac</span> booster, while Melbo, bless her heart, devotedly carried on the good fight). But come <span style="font-style: italic;">on </span>people, some word-plays just don't work. There has <span style="font-style: italic;">got</span> to be a better name than "Breast Whisperer" (especially at $150 an hour). Lactation Wizard. Breast-Feeding Guru. Master Lactator. Lactating Queen. Pretty much<span style="font-style: italic;"> anything</span> strikes me as less cringe-worthy.<br /><br />On the scale of bad derivatives though... I guess I'd have to concede, if pushed, that it's better than "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXXVIII_halftime_show_controversy">nipplegate</a>" (slightly).Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-43413254704317719822008-04-16T11:27:00.008-04:002008-04-16T19:25:05.457-04:00Bumped Into The Pope This Morning...True story. Right outside my office actually. Even got to sing Happy Birthday to him. (FYI: He's the little white splotch on the red dais that's just to the right of the gold dais).<br /><br />Hold the balding, overweight, middle-age jokes please:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAaKtCF92LI/AAAAAAAAAWI/SwocokPEVTI/s1600-h/Picture+007.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAaKtCF92LI/AAAAAAAAAWI/SwocokPEVTI/s400/Picture+007.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189988126851717298" border="0" /></a>Here's a close up shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAYdZyF92JI/AAAAAAAAAV4/sBe0qfiDakQ/s1600-h/Picture+004.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAYdZyF92JI/AAAAAAAAAV4/sBe0qfiDakQ/s400/Picture+004.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189867949371807890" border="0" /></a>The President Bush is standing walking right where the blurry, shiny spot is on the red dais and Pope Benedictus is guy with a white head and shirt just up and to the right of him:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAaJhiF92KI/AAAAAAAAAWA/vGqDQsz6yks/s1600-h/Super+Close+Up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/SAaJhiF92KI/AAAAAAAAAWA/vGqDQsz6yks/s400/Super+Close+Up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189986829771593890" border="0" /></a>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-20542598178699572992008-03-01T23:36:00.012-05:002008-04-07T23:28:55.256-04:00Guest Blogging at Times & SeasonsHey all... While I haven't been exactly the most prolific blogger of late, I did start guest blogging over at the Mormon blog Times & Seasons this past week. I'll post links here to whatever I throw up over there in case you're interested:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4416">The Marc of the Beast</a><br /></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4418">Revisiting the Church Stance on Immigration </a><br /></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4423">Rock-Bottom Loser</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4428">A Sample Of Mormon Donors<br /></a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4438">Mormons and Evolution </a> </li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4440">Missionary Photos </a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4450">The Secular as Sacred<br /></a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4465">Confessions of a News Junkie </a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4480">The Hallmark of Monson's Presidency?</a><br /></li></ul>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-76697541317903155642008-02-14T13:50:00.002-05:002008-08-31T01:10:34.910-04:00Word of the Day<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Obamacan">Obamacan</a>: A Republican who plans on voting for Barack ObamaMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-53062093965673709572008-02-13T20:17:00.015-05:002008-02-14T12:25:22.976-05:00Flip-Floppin' McCain-StyleThe straight talk express broke down on the highway of political convenience today:<br /><br />John McCain on torture on November 28, 2007 (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZjtFNktPLA"><span style="font-style: italic;">CNN Youtube Debate</span></a>):<br /><blockquote>[Waterboarding] is in violation of the Geneva Convention. It's in violation of existing law and... if we're going to get the high ground in this world and we're going to be the America that we have cherished and loved for more than 200 years, we're not going to torture people. We're not going to do what Pol Pot did. We're not going to do what's being done to Burmese monks as we speak. I suggest that you talk to retired military officers and active duty military officers like Colin Powell and others... how in the world anybody could think that that kind of thing could be inflicted by Americans on people who are held in our custody is absolutely beyond me.... Life is not "24" and Jack Bauer. Life is interrogation techniques which are humane and yet effective. I just came back from visiting a prison in Iraq. The Army general there said that techniques under the Army Field Manual are working and working effectively, and he didn't think they need to do anything else. [T]his is what America is all about. This is a defining issue...." </blockquote>John McCain on torture on February 13, 2008 (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/02/mccain_for_torture.php">Atlantic Monthly</a>):<br /><blockquote>Votes <span style="font-style: italic;">against</span> a Senate bill that prohibits the CIA from waterboarding by requiring it to abide by the Army Field Manual's limits on interrogation techniques (the same manual that McCain is praising as sufficient for our needs above).</blockquote><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Update</span>: For a good primer on what's at issue with this legislation and what McCain's arguments for voting against it are, <a href="http://balkin.blogspot.com/2008/02/senator-mccain-is-against-torture-but.html">see here</a>.<br /><br>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-63988436087902597832008-02-07T23:09:00.002-05:002008-02-13T21:22:45.019-05:00Quote of the DayRomney, apparently taking <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/08/politics/main641895.shtml">cues</a> from Dick Cheney:<br /><blockquote>If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.</blockquote><div style="text-align: right;">Mitt Romney - <em>February 7, 2008<br /></em><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/02/07/text-of-romneys-speech-i-hate-to-lose/"><em>Concession Speech at CPAC</em></a><br /></div>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-19918271715580923112008-01-27T22:05:00.000-05:002008-01-27T22:59:02.240-05:00In Memoriam<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">President Gordon Bitner Hinckley</span></span><br /><a href="http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695247765,00.html">Born June 23, 1910 - Died January 27, 2008</a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.bonnint.net/slc/239/23990/2399012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://media.bonnint.net/slc/239/23990/2399012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-32298948467761740812008-01-22T08:24:00.001-05:002008-01-22T08:26:50.969-05:00So I know video-posts are kind of a cop-out... but, regardless of your politics, you have to admit this one's pretty choice:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGf87FDN9L0&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGf87FDN9L0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><br>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-80482415038893679662008-01-21T14:40:00.000-05:002008-01-21T14:50:19.582-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PAKnMLPus1M&rel=1"></object><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="355" width="425"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PAKnMLPus1M&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object></div></div></span></div><br /><br>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-55051313792317871442008-01-08T23:27:00.000-05:002008-01-09T13:52:12.781-05:00Jackie Chan's Brother?<div style="text-align: left;">[<span style="font-weight: bold;">Setting</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">Las Vegas. January 2nd. The wife and I on our way into the MGM Grand to celebrate our anniversary at the restaurant I used to work at.</span>]<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Wow. That's Johnny Chan.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: Who?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Here... take the camera. I want to see if I can get a picture with him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: Get a picture with who?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Johnny... nevermind. Here. Just follow me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Excuse me. Mr. Chan, would it be alright if I got a picture with you?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Johnny</span>: Sure, just make it quick.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">[Snap]<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/R4Rh1J27F-I/AAAAAAAAATw/o_ahWObEDZc/s1600-h/Marc+and+WSOP+Champ+Johnny+Chan+%28Touched+Up%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/R4Rh1J27F-I/AAAAAAAAATw/o_ahWObEDZc/s400/Marc+and+WSOP+Champ+Johnny+Chan+%28Touched+Up%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153351439425935330" border="0" /></a>[Snap]<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Thanks so much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Johnny</span>: No problem.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: Who was that?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Johnny Chan.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: Is that like Jackie Chan's brother?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: What?! No. Haven't you ever seen the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Rounders</span>?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: I think so. Maybe?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: Well, he's a poker player. Only guy to ever win the World Series of Poker's Main Event two years in a row. He's won like ten WSOP bracelets.<br /><br />[<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melbo</span>: Completely loses all interest</span>]<br /><br />[<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Wonder if I'm the lone soul in Mormondom that's able recognize the former champ</span>]<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-15019016465639123312008-01-04T13:36:00.002-05:002008-02-17T12:04:06.502-05:00A Few Thoughts on Romney, McCain, and Huckabee, and the Upcoming New Hampshire PrimaryIn the wake of yesterday's <a href="http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695241169,00.html">Iowa caucus results</a>, I posted some of my thoughts on the race for the GOP nomination over at <a href="http://lawstudentsforromney.blogspot.com/2008/01/thoughts-on-iowa-and-new-hampshire.html">a Romney blog</a> that I occasionally contribute to. Since few of you likely scour the political blogosphere for these sorts of posts, I thought I'd cross-post it here :<br /><blockquote>With Mitt Romney's surprisingly large defeat in the Iowa Caucus now in the rearview mirror, what lies ahead for him in New Hampshire? I think it's a must win primary for Romney. If he loses to John McCain in four days, he may choose to continue on in the race, but I think any real shot he had at winning disappears. That said, there are some big questions hovering over the New Hampshire primary.<br /><br />Since Mike Huckabee relied largely on Iowa's significant evangelical base for his caucus victory, I think its impact on his campaign in New Hampshire is unclear. Huckabee doesn't have a realistic shot at taking New Hampshire, so the best case scenario for him is simply a strong showing. Given how weak he's polled here over the past year, the only place he has to go is up. The $64,000 question is how much traction his Iowa win gives him. Does he steal the few evangelical votes that there are to be had in New Hampshire from Romney? Does he win over any fence-sitters?<br /><br />One thing Huckabee's win almost certainly does is make the recently tightened race between McCain and Romney there even tighter. McCain's fourth place showing in Iowa doesn't really give him the momentum that a strong third-place showing would have, but with Romney losing by so much to Huckabee, I don't think it matters. Romney's loss in Iowa after investing the significant resources he did there has the potential to raise doubts that push wayward Romney supporters to McCain.<br /><br />To win out New Hampshire, Romney has to find a way to prevent any hemorrhaging from his Iowa defeat. He needs to stop Huckabee from stealing any votes (since Huckabee is more likely to steal votes from Romney supporters than those backing McCain) and he needs to try and stop McCain's surge in New Hampshire by reminding voters there why they've preferred him over McCain for most of this past year. Not an easy task when it appears that the negative advertisements and mailings Romney has employed over the past few weeks seem to have actually hurt him in Iowa and, possibly, New Hampshire. Romney needs to go negative without appearing to attack, a tough balancing act that he's struggled with at times. The good news for Romney is that if he tops McCain, it's likely the death kneel of McCain's candidacy, especially if he tops him by a significant margin.<br /><br />The big wild card in all of this is McCain's most natural New Hampshire constituency, independents. He can't afford to lose indies who would otherwise vote for him but who choose to vote for Barack Obama in the Democratic Primary. In that sense, McCain and Obama are each other's own worst enemy in New Hampshire. In retrospect, the Iowa caucus results haven't settled much of anything except to underscore the fact that we still have a wide-open GOP race on our hands. With that said, what are everyone's predictions?</blockquote>[<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update</span>: After Sunday night's debate performance by Mitt, I revise my assessment... A decently close New Hampshire loss does not kill Romney's candidacy. I think McCain and Huckabee fell somewhat flat last night and Romney breathed a bit of new life into his campaign by doing well when sparring them... plus, the conservative base <i>really</i> seems wary of McCain and looks almost desperate to coalesce around someone else.]Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-82371849314598351222007-12-30T00:59:00.000-05:002007-12-30T01:31:37.393-05:00Sorry Melbo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/R3c66Z27F8I/AAAAAAAAATg/elpvbJZggoo/s1600-h/s-JIMMY-FALLON-large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/R3c66Z27F8I/AAAAAAAAATg/elpvbJZggoo/s200/s-JIMMY-FALLON-large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149649473969526722" border="0" /></a>So back when the wife and I were dating, we used to reel off lists of Hollywood celebs we found attractive. At the top of Melbo's list was former SNL'er Jimmy Fallon (I believe she described him as 'geeky' cute) . If the choice strikes you as an odd one, take it up with her... I'm just here to break the news that he's <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071229/ap_en_ot/people_fallon">finally hitched</a>. Sorry Melbo.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-47999862769831261382007-12-29T23:25:00.000-05:002007-12-29T23:29:55.147-05:00One Small Step For E...<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tB62xIrKcQY"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tB62xIrKcQY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-75158102328584846282007-12-28T23:59:00.000-05:002007-12-29T23:31:42.935-05:00Guess Who's Back... Back Again...I'm back in the saddle after a blogging sabbatical of nearly a two months. I never really intended to leave for that long, but work got out of control there for awhile and during the down times I just couldn't motivate myself to blog. I've got two months worth of posts simmering on the backburner though, so stay tuned.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-45488871996924289232007-10-31T09:12:00.000-04:002007-10-31T09:22:58.413-04:00Lance Armstrong Has IssuesI'd chalk <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/10312007/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm">this one</a> up to a mid-life crisis, but he seems to have already had a couple of those (e.g., <a href="http://static.flickr.com/32/47944038_6c3d589e5e_m.jpg">here</a> and <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1547724,00.html">here</a>).Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-85792586662957693102007-10-30T22:54:00.000-04:002007-10-31T00:17:39.955-04:00Quote of the Day<span style="font-size:130%;">"Rudy Giuliani is probably the most underqualified man since George Bush to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> seek the presidency....</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> There are only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb and 9/11."</span><br /><br />Senator Joe Biden, <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/10/biden_on_rudy_h.html">at the Drexel University</a> Democratic Debate, October 30, 2007</span></span>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-74621991511962520742007-10-27T16:27:00.000-04:002007-12-29T23:33:10.838-05:00My Love-Hate Relationship With Art Fairs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://aagallery.aadl.org/gallery/d/83-2/Artfair002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://aagallery.aadl.org/gallery/d/83-2/Artfair002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A couple of weeks ago, <a href="http://www.tossedgreens.blogspot.com/">the wife</a> and I hit up a huge <a href="http://www.artontheavenue.org/">artisan fair</a> in Alexandria. The afternoon stroll from booth to booth looking at all the handmade arts and crafts reminded me of a realization I came to in Europe over the summer. While in Switzerland and Italy this August, we had welcomed the opportunity to meander around the numerous street markets, where scores painters and craftsmen would peddle their wares. Although we ended up purchasing a handful of choice finds, I decided that I had a what you'd call a love-hate relationship with these sorts of fairs.<br /><br />On the upside, I'm a big fan of good art work, even though our collection right now is pretty meager. When we can afford it, I'd love to have my house filled with nice photography, paintings, pottery, and sculptures. But for now, outside of a few nice pieces, we rely pretty heavily on mass-produced prints and products. Here's where the artisan fairs and markets come in. Original works of art and handicraft sold by the artists themselves at prices that typically blow anything you'd find at an art store or gallery away. Unfortunately, however, that's also the downside. See, I'm pretty particular about the kinds of art I like, and artists, in their drive to be original... let's just say the quality or appeal of their work can run the gamut. In my experience, avant-garde is often code for "weird as hell." So the trip to an artisan fair can end up being... well... awkward. As I stroll, I often find myself reticent to enter a lot of booths and look closely at too many items because, as I disinterestedly set down a particular work or quickly walk past a set of paintings, I'll feel the artists eyes burning into me. I'll look over, meet their gaze, and usually manage a weak smile while rejecting their work through my indifference. Sometimes I'll mutter something about the art being "really nice" or, in particularly exigent circumstances, I'll baldly lie about coming back after I check with my wife.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/1315148964_caa926b3c2_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 220px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/1315148964_caa926b3c2_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So if I find it so excruciating, why do I go? Why do I willingly submit to the torture? I'm not exactly sure of all the reasons why. But I think its because a good find can usually make it all worthwhile. If you come across something that's your style and that you actually are interested in buying, it's great. You get original works at a great price while also having the opportunity to shoot the breeze with the artist. We came across this one guy in Rome whose work we loved. We probably bought six or seven paintings and sketches from him without breaking the bank and ended up talking with him for the better part of half an hour.<br /><br />These good experiences, however, can be tempered somewhat if you're also bargaining over the cost. The quibble over prices, for me, opens a whole 'nother can of worms. Instead of just implicitly rejecting someone's work, I'm now telling them to their faces that they aren't worth what they're asking. I try to rationalize that they've likely hiked up their prices in anticipation of such bargaining, but I never fully convince myself of it. I end up thinking of all the time they must put into their craft and what a paltry income they probably make. While I've been known drive a hard bargain on some things, haggling over prices for art just seems different than pushing someone hawking pirated watches and handbags for a better deal.<br /><br />So, you don't have to tell me. I know that I'm an oversensitive schmuck. I'm never going to see these people again, they're expecting a lot of foot traffic at these events from people who don't plan on buying anything, and, in reality, they typically only need to sell a handful of works each day to consider their outing a success. I've told myself this all before, but it doesn't seem to help. I still end up feeling bad. And, like a masochist, I still end up going back for more. Like I said, it's a rocky relationship... and I don't have much hope that it's going to improve.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-44064044940831454692007-10-20T09:57:00.000-04:002007-10-22T15:19:16.768-04:00Elder Kirby?Robert Kirby. If you don't know who he is, people might characterize you as either sorely deprived or mercifully blessed, depending on their perspectives. For those unfamiliar with Kirby, he's an LDS columnist for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Salt Lake Tribune</span> who has been compared to both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Golden_Kimball">J. Golden Kimball</a> and a modern-day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korihor">Korihor</a>. He ends up seriously rankling some readers and is adoringly heralded by others. I tend to love the man... or at least his columns related to Mormonism.<br /><br />In short, Kirby's a humorist who makes fun of just about everything... and everything frequently includes <a href="http://del.icio.us/bigidybone/Kirby?setcount=25">various aspects</a> of Church culture. A former police officer who started writing a weekly column for the now-defunct Utah County Journal (<a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddhjpw4k_5czspgf">this is</a> his first article... now a cult favorite), he eventually got picked up full-time by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tribune</span>. As I see it, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Trib</span>' probably liked the fact that, as a Mormon, Kirby had a longer leash to poke and prod on some issues than the paper's editorial staff. I think he's usually pretty good about not crossing "the line," but there are those who clearly feel that he should be strung up and shot (or at the least given his packing papers).<br /><br />This divide in perception was made all more interesting by General Conference two weeks ago. Since then, I've been debating whether Kirby now carries a sort of unofficial Church imprimatur.... I mean, given that one of his columns was basically recounted in its entirety by Richard C. Edgley and served as the foundational lead-in for Edgley's talk (<a href="http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-3,00.html">Here's the talk</a> in case you missed it). Today <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7228348">Kirby posted</a> some reader feedback he's received about being quoted by Edgley, including my favorite: "<span id="slt_site"><span id="slt_article">Polygamy, blood atonement, and now Kirby in Conference. I can't take it anymore. I have to leave the church."<br /><br />Me personally... I could get used to hearing Kirby in Conference. Kind of gives Saturday morning a little spice.<br /></span></span>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-76424204824162048172007-10-17T10:39:00.000-04:002007-10-17T11:13:59.639-04:00Waiting to Exhale<span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst Feeling in the World</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span> Looking at the <a href="http://www.vbbe.state.va.us/results.html">bar examination results list</a> online and thinking you don't see your name.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Feeling in the World</span>: Realizing that you merely glanced over your name in your state of anxiousness.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/RxYj_-yLwKI/AAAAAAAAATA/9nO1y_bq_Ew/s1600-h/Bar+Results+-+Marc2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lL7TUft_46I/RxYj_-yLwKI/AAAAAAAAATA/9nO1y_bq_Ew/s400/Bar+Results+-+Marc2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122321208272732322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And... exhale. Whew.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13324551.post-16751821693712892112007-10-14T19:08:00.000-04:002007-10-15T15:27:05.920-04:00Cutting Out The CrapI've been wrestling with the question of balance in my life since I started working full-time about a month ago. I've got to admit that the transition from the flexibility of student life to the structure of the salaried workforce has been a bit of an adjustment for me.<br /><br />Over the past few years, the frequent break and detour have become my signature move... so much so that Melbo has fondly taken to calling me "Captain Distracto." Unfortunately, that sort of routine doesn't really jive with what's expected of me these days. At least not if I want ever want to see my son or enjoy a home-cooked meal with the family.<br /><br />So I resolved to change my ways. The resolving was easy. It's the change that's been hard. A creature of habit with a law degree is prone to revert to familiar ways. We're taught to be persuasive... and persuasive we are. I can hardly say no to myself, and it's hard to feel bad after I eventually cave in because of who I was up against. Me. I can rationalize with the best of them.<br /><br />And so it happens that I meander over to a nearby office just "for a second" and end up rehashing the weekend in sports for thirty minutes. I get online "just to check an email" and get off having responded to three while also having skimmed the front page of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Deseret News</span>, and the <span style="font-style: italic;">Drudge Report</span>. I convince myself that a particular bill has to be paid "right now" or that I need to call and consolidate my private student loans "before I forget." And on and on. The end result is often me getting home later than I had hoped and bringing home more work than I otherwise would have to (errr... don't tell the wife).<br /><br />Sadly, this cycle doesn't end at work. By the time I get home, I'm often so worn out that all I feel like doing is vegging' out with Melbo in front of the tube. We end up watching a lot of crap instead of things we always talk about doing (e.g., writing in our journals, working on our photo albums, knocking out a few more books on our reading lists, or saving the world).<br /><br />Seeing me flailing about, pathetically trying to steady myself, God had mercy and told Dallin H. Oaks I <a href="http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-38,00.html">needed some counsel</a>. Several millions of people may have been listening to General Conference last weekend, but it's clear that Oaks intended his remarks for me personally. Maybe it's because, as a former lawyer himself, he understands my struggle, but he didn't characterize my distractions as bad; instead, he merely suggested that they weren't the best use of my time. He said:<br /><br />We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is <i>good </i>is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives...<br /><blockquote>As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice [may be] more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.<br /><br />Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, "Seek ye out of the <i>best</i> books words of wisdom" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/88/118#118" target="_blank" class="featureslink">D&C 88:118;</a> emphasis added).</blockquote>At some level, I already knew all this. But hearing it struck a chord. I've resigned myself to the fact that balance is likely to be a life-long struggle for me, but Oaks gave me hope. While I'm not convinced an animal like myself can easily change overnight, I'm optimistic that, with time, I can at least learn to chose the better, if not the best. Tough questions still loom, however, like whether this blog rises to the level of a good or a better ('Cause there's no way in hell it's a best).Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06331222151132163756noreply@blogger.com12