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| Sunday, August 9th, 2009 | | 2:04 pm |
My cat
In memory of my dear beloved cat Bobo, who had to be put down this Friday (August 7). If you read this and have a pet, please hug him/her, and don't take him/her for granted. R.I.P Bobo. I suspect I'll never forget you. Current Mood:  sad | | Wednesday, April 21st, 2004 | | 2:02 am |
Worst. Songs. Ever.
From an e-mail to my friend: For some strange reason, I don't actually hate "MacArthur Park". Maybe because the lyrics are so laughable (same with "A Horse With No Name": Plants and birds and rocks and things). Same with "Loving You" by Minnie Ripperton. And at least "Joy To The world", "Tie A yellow ribbon", and "Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" make me think of that Amazon Women on the Moon skit, so I can laugh.... Surprisingly, there are quite a few of these "bad songs" that I tolerate. Some I even *like*. Mildly, at least. These songs, however, I have nothing good to say about: "To all the girls I've loved before" has to be one of the most egotistical and self serving songs I've ever heard. Damn, I detest that song. (But then, I don't hate "We are the Champions" or "My way") I'm not particularly fond of Elvis's "In the Ghetto". Meaning, I think I'd rather LIVE in the Ghetto. "Ebony or Ivory" stinks like shit. White man or black man's shit. Take your choice. "Wake me up before you go go" makes me want to puke puke. "Let's Dance" makes me want to curl up in the fetal position. "Billy, don't be a hero" makes me long for the days of disco. "Whip it" should be performed by mimes. "My ding a ling" should be remade as a porn film. It can't possibly be any worse. "Losing my religion". Hell on earth. "We are the world" An argument for the apocalypse. I had forgotten about "Red Rubber Ball" until I started researching songs I hate. I'm sorry I remembered it. Same with "Kung Fu Fighting" Whoever invented the Macarena song deserves their own special place in hell. I'd rather have a date with "Lola" than hear that song as much as I do. I'd rather "walk on the wild side" than listen to it. "Red, red wine" makes me want to drown myself in it. "The girl is mine" (Insert cheap shot at Michael Jackson here) "Please come to Boston". Please go to hell. "She's Out of My Life" Maybe because you sang this to her once too often. "Break My Stride" broke my spirit. "Do you really want to hurt me?" YES, VERY MUCH. Damn, now I'm really depressed. I'd rather listen to the Osmonds than these songs above. Or the Carpenters. Or Barry Manilow. Or the Bee Gees. Or the Captain and Tenille. Celene Dion. The Village People. OK, maybe not the Village People. Yes, even William Shatner. Medea's Child | | Monday, March 15th, 2004 | | 12:32 pm |
Remember March, the Ides of March
"'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee!" --Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene iii | | Friday, September 19th, 2003 | | 10:41 am |
My contribution to International Talk Like a Pirate Day:
(stolen from a mailing list I belong to) Top Ten Pick-up lines for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day: 10. Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly? 9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm? 8. Come on up and see me urchins. 7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you. 6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon. 5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if fired me cannon through your porthole? 4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder? 3. Ya know, darlin', I'm 97 percent chum free. 2. Well blow me down? And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day is... 1. Prepare to be boarded. Medea's Child | | Thursday, June 12th, 2003 | | 1:00 am |
| | Monday, November 18th, 2002 | | 7:24 pm |
Two quizzes Bean Shadow might be interested in, if she reads this....
#1 Hadrianus #2 Marcus Aurelius #3 Gaius Marius #4 Q. Horatius Flaccus #5 Livius #6 Augustus #7 Iulius Caesar #8 Seneca #9 Paulus #10 Claudius #11 The Gracchi #12 Catullus #13 Cato Maior #14 Lucretius #15 Martialis #16 Plotinus #17 Traianus #18 Nero #19 Scipio Africanus #20 Domitianus #21 Q. Sertorius #22 L. Silvanius Florus #23 Sulla #24 General Varus #1 Alexander Severus #2 Titus #3 Antoninus Pius #4 Claudius #5 Commodus #6 Hadrian #7 Otho #8 Vespasian #9 Augustus #10 Constantine #11 Domitian #12 Gallienus #13 Nero #14 Aurelian #15 Julian the Apostate #16 Trajan #17 Vitellius #18 Gaius Caligula #19 Septimius Severus #20 Marcus Aurelius #21 Tiberius #22 Caracalla #23 Diocletian #24 Elagabalus #25 Galba Hadrian and SEVERUS ALEXANDER? How dull! And what qualifies someone to be a "Severus Alexander", anyway? Medea's Child | | 7:23 pm |
You know what's disturbing about these quizzes? My favorites consistently rank towards the bottom
#1 Harry S. Truman #2 Dale Cooper #3 Big Ed Hurley #4 Pete Martell #5 James Hurley #6 Log Lady #7 Leo Johnson #8 Little Man From Another Place #9 Nadine Hurley #10 BOB #11 Bobby Briggs #12 Catherine Martell #13 Donna Hayward #14 Josie Packard #15 Leland Palmer #16 Audrey Horne #17 Ben Horne #18 Shelly Johnson #19 Laura Palmer Ben Horne is actually my favorite character. #1 Dr. Jennifer Melfi #2 Anthony "AJ" Soprano Jr. #3 Adriana La Cerva #4 Carmella Soprano #5 Ginny Sacks #6 Bobby Bacala #7 Furio Guinta #8 Gabriella Dante #9 Meadow Soprano #10 Sylvio Dante #11 Tony Soprano #12 Uncle Junior #13 Artie Bucco #14 Gloria Atrillo #15 Janice Soprano #16 Livia Soprano #17 Paulie Walnuts #18 Christopher Moltisanti #19 Johnny Boy Soprano #20 Ralf Ciforetto It doesn't surprise me that I have Melfi #1, since I was a psych major and like to analyze things, but I'm faintly disturbed that 6 of my top 9 matches are women, considering I'm a guy. (I'd pass it off as my not being particularly violent, but then, what's Furio doing up there?) My favorite character is Paulie, way down at #17 (though I don't like the fact that he's a snitch) Oh well, at least I have Ralfie at the bottom. #1 William the Conqueror (1066-87) - first Norman king of England, defeater of the Saxons and bringer of the Domesday Book. Died after falling off his horse while trying to burn the town of Mantes to the ground. #2 Alfred the Great (871-899) - Saxon hero who repelled the Danes from the south of England. He was also well educated and set up schools, but his military achievements are better remembered. Died of old age. #3 Henry V (1413-22) - young, brave, strong, noble ... he beat the French at Agincourt, then managed to catch dysentry and die. #4 Stephen (1135-54) - usurper of the throne from its rightful heir, Empress Matilda. A brave but imprudent king, he fought a civil war, but had to come to agreement with Matilda's son, the future Henry II. He died of a surfeit of cider (I think) but what a way to go, huh? #5 Henry II (1154-89) - strong king with a hot temper who ruled England and most of France. Died in bed, boringly enough. #6 Richard II (1377-99) as a child defused the Peasant's Revolt, but became tyrranical and enraged the nobles. Dethroned by the Duke of Lancaster and was starved to death in prison. #7 Richard the Lionheart (1189-99) - Crusader king who lost to the Turks. Made famous by the Robin Hood myth. Also closet homosexual. No, really. Died after being shot by an archer while besieging the French town of Chalus #8 Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) - pious but weak king who was ineffective and let his nobles rule for him. Gentle, kind, but useless. Another one who died of old age. #9 Edward II (1307-27) - a weak king, ruled by his male lovers and eventally killed by his wife, Isabella, with a red hot poker. #10 Richard III (1483-85) - portrayed as evil and hunchbacked by Shakespeare and also accused of killing his little nephews to become king. Died at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. I quite like him, actually. And, of course, my favorite is Richard III. This is a *really* disquieting trend. Medea's Child | | Sunday, October 27th, 2002 | | 4:30 pm |
On being a fan...
Before the seventh game, I'd like to congratulate the Giants and their fans. No matter how it plays out, both teams had great seasons. As cliche as it sounds, it's a shame someone has to lose. I find myself almost wishing that they'd call it a tie, make 'em both co-champions, and end the season. And you know, I look at that last sentence, and can't believe I wrote that. I've been a sports fan all my life and am, in general, a pretty competitive person. I play in fantasy leagues for baseball, football, basketball, and hockey, and, I daresay, I win more than my fair share of titles. (I consider a .500 season a failure, by way of example) Not just fantasy sports, but REAL sports, has dominated my life. It makes me self conscious to think how a win or loss by one of my favorite teams can set my emotional tone for DAYS. The intellectual part of me realizes how stupid this is, I know. (How does one athletic event measure in comparison to world hunger and strife?) But I'm not going to change. I don't WANT to change. It may be silly, anti-intellectual even, to care about sports as passionately as I do. My response would be: "So be it, then." People speak denigratingly of "bandwagon" fans. Many seem to take offense at these "johnny come latelies", as if their own loyalties are being somewhat impugned. I don't share those feelings, and yet I think I understand why they exist. "Bandwagon fans" will quickly get over their team's losing and hop on the next bandwagon. They won't suffer a loss as a "true fan" will suffer. I don't share such scorn because, to me, being a fan is, I daresay, a little like being in love: You get out of it what you put in. Should the Angels win tonight, my joy will FAR eclipse that of ANY bandwagon fan--so would the joy of my Giant fan counterparts should they get the victory. I do not, therefore, begrudge the bandwagon fan their relative lack of emotional pain, because they won't feel the joy a long time fan would. So why, right before the last, most important game of the season, do I find myself with these "milquetoast" feelings, being melancholy that one team has to lose? Sports is, after all, ABOUT winning and losing. Perhaps because I know how it feels. I remember 1986. I can imagine how a long suffering Giants fan feels about his team trying to win the championship for the first time since 1954 (and that's assuming s/he was a fan when the team was still in New York). I can imagine this, after all, because the Angels have NEVER won it. And moreover, should the Angels win, my joy would be tempered by reflecting on how disappointed my Giant fan friends ( deathbytamarind, to name one) would be. All this, too, is "just" what it's like being a fan. Imagine what it's like being a participant. For someone like Bonds, Dunston or Appier (older players who've never won a championship), this may be their ONLY chance at the brass ring. Bill James once wrote: "We might remember that while it is, to us, the climax of the show, it is, to the participants, like witnessing a death in the family, the death of a dream which they have nurtured for months or years, have fought hard and worked hard to bring to the eadge of reality. We've never been through anything like it, most of us, but we must imagine that situation as a firestorm of hope, fear, dismay, pressure, hope against hope and hope against the stark terror of the scoreboard." Then there was Gus Triandos, a catcher for the 1964 Philies, who blew a big lead to miss the World Series. He spoke of the celebration which never happened: "Some men wanted to pour the champagne. Some wanted to guzzle it. Some wanted to spray it. I just wanted to taste it." Some people's dreams will come true tonight, at the expense of others, whose dreams will die. As ultra competitive as I am, I've always tried to remember that. However happy I am in my team's victories, I'll feel compassion for the losing team, and their fans. Should the Giants win tonight, I extend to them, and their fans, heartiest congratulations. Should my Angels get the victory, I'll take a moment to honor those same individuals, in whose shoes I myself have walked. Many, many times. And now, as Shakespeare wrote: "Once more, into the breach, dear friends". Medea's Child | | Friday, October 25th, 2002 | | 12:07 pm |
Gone, but not forgotten...
Why does the sun go on shining? Why does the sea rush to shore? Don't they know it's the end of the world 'Cause you don't love me any more? Why do the birds go on singing? Why do the stars glow above? Don't they know it's the end of the world? It ended when I lost your love. I wake up in the morning and I wonder Why ev'rything's the same as it was. I can't understand, no I can't understand How life goes on the way it does Why does my heart go on beating? Why do these eyes of mine cry? Don't they know it's the end of the world? It ended when you said goodbye Don't they know it's the end of the world? It ended when you said goodbye. | | Monday, October 21st, 2002 | | 5:43 pm |
You know you're obsessed with fantasy basketball...
...when you're calling the UCLA Central Ticket Office to see if tickets for the Mater Dei game against LeBron James's high school (James is the probable #1 pick next year--they're already calling next year's lottery the "LeBron James" sweepstakes) at Pauley Pavilion have gone on sale yet. I haven't stooped so low since I called the Cleveland Plain Dealer many years ago to see if Brad Daugherty had a clean bill of health. (BTW, they had some guy at the sports desk named Bruce....he gave me bad information) Medea's Child | | Friday, October 11th, 2002 | | 10:40 pm |
Gotta say it...
I realize I'm going to sound like an ingrate here, but IT FREAKING FIGURES that the Twins/Angels series has to be such great drama. I would sit back and revel in the excitement, in the dramatic tension, the uncertainty, etc...except my fandom is "getting in the way". I want the Angels to win badly, especially after '79, '82, '86, '95. Sure, if I had my absolute druthers, it would be for the Angels to win the ALCS, and then the World Series, in the GREATEST, CLOSEST, MOST DRAMATIC SERIESES OF ALL TIME. But would I rather "risk" them losing such a series, or would I rather them win four straight (OK, in five from the Twins, and then 4-0 in the series)? The latter. I'm no idiot, and I'm fully aware of "a bird in the hand". And anyone who's been an Angels fan (or a long suffering Cub fan, Red Sox fan, Buffalo Bills fan, etc), isn't going to want to take any chances. I'm sure you all can relate. Oh, why can't the Angels would win in a walk, and the Giants/Cards series (where I don't have a strong preference) can provide all the nail biting, heart stopping, pulse racing adrenaline rush. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy close, thrill a minute games/series. Just not when my team is involved. I grew up an Angels fan, and before I went to UCLA, my favorite sports team, bar none, was the Angels. I lived and died with them, most particularly in 1986. I've been burned so often rooting for that damned team that, in 1995, I managed to stay somewhat aloof. Because, you see, I KNEW they'd F*CK it up. It actually didn't hurt as much as 1986 or 1982. And I still root for them, but I keep holding something back, much like the guy who's had his heart broken by a girl he LOVED and is afraid to love again. I keep telling myself that they aren't that good a team, that they don't deserve to be in it, anyway. I believe it, too, but the problem is, I think they're just as good as all the other teams still in it (I thought the Yankees, Braves and A's were the class of MLB this year). Anyway, I lost the battle to maintaining any pretense of staying aloof tonight. I can't pretend that I won't be devastated if and when they lose. This must be like the proverbial siren song. You KNOW it's as a stupid thing to do, but you can't help yourself. I feel like a wino or an addict. Pardon my incoherent ramblings. Go Angels. Medea's Child Current Mood:  contemplative | | Tuesday, September 24th, 2002 | | 2:18 pm |
The Greatest Movie of all Time
(in my opinion, anyway) is The Lion In Winter. It is apparently being made into a TV movie starring Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close. I don't know how I feel about this...on one hand, I think everyone should see this fine screenplay, however good or bad this production ends up being. On the other hand, I have a very bad feeling about how this will compare to the original. And this comes from someone who likes Patrick Stewart, respects his work in Shakespeare, I, Claudius, Excalibur, to say nothing of Star Trek. I guess we'll see. In the meantime, here's another movie recommendation: "Quiz Show", starring John Turturro and Ralph Fiennes. Great, great morality play. Those of you who know my predilection for quoting Shakespeare may not be aware that I got my inspiration from a scene in this movie. Medea's Child | | Friday, September 6th, 2002 | | 4:11 pm |
Doing a 180....
"Albuquerque returns as Isotopes" http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/isotopes090502.html I saw the headline for this article (re the Alberquerque franchise renaming itself the "Isotopes") and thought: "WTF? What kind of lameass name is that? What next, the Altoona Algebra Professors? The South Bend Science Majors? The Greensboro Geeks?" Then I read the article: "They named the team after that *Simpsons' episode*? COOL!!" (I'm not even much of a Simpsons' fan. But that episode rocked!) Medea's Child | | Tuesday, August 27th, 2002 | | 6:04 pm |
Cross posted to my baseball LJ communities
Since September 11, 2001, Americans have come together as never before in our generation. We have banded together to overcome tremendous adversity. We have weathered direct attacks on our own soil, wars overseas, corporate scandal, layoffs, unemployment, stock price plunges, droughts, fires, and a myriad of economic and physical disasters both great and small. But now, we must come together once again to overcome our greatest challenge yet. Hundreds of Major League Baseball players in our very own nation are living at, just below, or in most cases far above the seven-figure salary level. And as if that weren't bad enough they could be deprived of their life giving pay for several months, possibly longer, as a result of the upcoming strike situation. But you can help! For only $20,835 a month, about $694.50 a day (that's less than the cost of a large screen projection TV) you can help a MLB player remain economically viable during his time of need. This contribution by no means solves the problem as it barely covers the annual minimum salary, but it's a start, and every little bit will help! Although $700 may not seem like a lot of money to you, to a baseball player it could mean the difference between spending the strike golfing in Florida or on a Mediterranean cruise. For you, seven hundred dollars is nothing more than a month's rent, half a mortgage payment, or a month of medical insurance, but to a baseball player, $700 will partially replace his daily salary. Your commitment of less than $700 a day will enable a player to buy that home entertainment center, trade in the year-old Lexus for a new Ferrari, or enjoy a weekend in Rio. HOW WILL I KNOW I'M HELPING? Each month, you will receive a complete financial report on the player you sponsor. Detailed information about his stocks, bonds, 401(k), real estate, and other investment holdings will be mailed to your home. Plus, upon signing up for this program, you will receive an unsigned photo of the player lounging during the strike on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean (for a signed photo, please include an additional $150). Put the photo on your refrigerator to remind you of other peoples' suffering. HOW WILL HE KNOW I'M HELPING? Your MLB player will be told that he has a SPECIAL FRIEND who just wants to help in a time of need. Although the player won't know your name, he will be able to make collect calls to your home via a special operator in case additional funds are needed for unforeseen expenses. YES, I WANT TO HELP! I would like to sponsor a striking MLB player. My preference is checked below: [ ] Infielder [ ] Outfielder [ ] Starting Pitcher [ ] Ace Pitcher [ ] Entire team (Please call our 900 number to ask for the cost of a specific team - $10 per minute) [ ] Alex Rodriguez (Higher cost: $60,000 per day) Please charge the account listed below $694.50 per day for the player for the duration of the strike. Please send me a picture of the player I have sponsored, along with an Alex Rodriguez 2001 Income Statement and my very own Donald Fehr MLB Players Union pin to wear proudly on my hat (include $80 for hat). Your Name: _______________________ Telephone Number: _______________________ Account Number: _______________________ Exp.Date:_______ [ ] MasterCard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ] Discover Signature: _______________________ Alternate card (when the primary card exceeds its credit limit): Account Number: _______________________ Exp.Date:_______ [ ] MasterCard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ] Discover Signature: _______________________ Mail completed form to MLB Players Union or call 1-900-F%*&-THE-FANS now to enroll by phone ($10 per minute). Disclaimer: Sponsors are not permitted to contact the player they have sponsored, either in person or by other means including, but not limited to, telephone calls, letters, e-mail, or third parties. Contributions are not tax-deductible.......................... .................But we are working on a bill that would make your contributions Tax Deductable. | | Friday, August 23rd, 2002 | | 12:05 pm |
| | Thursday, August 22nd, 2002 | | 3:44 pm |
Loyaulte me lie
517 years ago today, the last English king to die in battle fell at Bosworth Field. Though reviled by many historians, his story has been the inspiration for the birth of societies--not only in England but throughout the world--dedicated to a reassessment of his life, reign, and reputation. Some believe him not only to be unfairly maligned as a cruel man and a tyrant, but a genuine humanist and enlightened king, who honestly cared for the welfare of his subjects and realm. I doubt that the many mysteries surrounding the most controversial English King will ever be resolved. My own personal belief is, while he was far from a perfect man, he was in no way, shape or form the black hearted villain Shakespeare and many others have made him out to be. I believe that his trust and reliance on others--even those who were known to be unreliable--are completely incompatible with his tyrannical reputation. He was perhaps guilty of ambition, probably of naivety, and *certainly* of bad judgment. His fate was to be--probably unfairly--maligned for centuries. For me, personally, the two most compelling figures in history are Julius Caesar and Richard III of England. Both are a complex mixture of ambition and humanism, of ruthlessness and compassion. Both met their end because they chose to forgive past wrongs. Foolish? Perhaps. Noble? Definitely. Trust and compassion are two of the noblest qualities of all. http://www.r3.org(I also recommend "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey, and "The Sunne in Splendour" by Sharon Kay Penman) Medea's Child | | Monday, August 19th, 2002 | | 3:31 pm |
I have a confession to make....
I'm not real good at updating this thingee. I admit that I'm not big on talking about myself. Also, I'm better at playing off of other people than initiating things myself. At message boards, yahoogroups and LJ communities, I respond to other people's topics and threads more than I start topics or threads of my own. That's how I am. Deal. Speaking of "deals", I've made *11* deals in my fantasy baseball leagues in the last two weeks. (Which explains why I dropped off the face of the earth in the various LJ communities) Funny story re a bad fantasy league deal: Friend of mine got much the worse of one such deal two years ago, and he made the mistake of whining about how he's remembered for that one bad deal. My response was to post this joke: An old Scotsmen is sitting with a younger Scottish
gentleman and says the boy. "Ah, lad look out that
window. You see that stone wall there, I built it with
me own bare hands, placed every stone meself. But do
they call me MacGregor the wall builder? No!
He Takes a few sips of his beer then says, "Aye, and
look out on that lake and eye that beautiful pier. I
built it meself, laid every board and hammered each
nail but do they call me MacGregor the pier builder?
No!
He continues..."And lad, you see that road? That too I
build with me own bare hands. Laid every inch of
pavement meself, but do they call MacGregor the road
builder? No!"
Again he returns to his beer for a few sips, then
says, "Agh, but you screw one sheep..."Medea's Child | | Sunday, July 21st, 2002 | | 2:02 am |
A funny thing happened to me on the way to the ballgame
OK, *AT* the ballgame. Both the Dodgers and Angels had home games today, so my friend and I did a "day/night doubleheader". Interesting thing happened at Dodger Stadium--in lieu of a beach ball, someone inflated a BIG blowup killer whale and started using it as beach ball. Started on the upper levels, moved down to the field. I don't hate beach balls like I do the wave, but I also try to avoid paying attention to them when one is in my section (preferring to concentrate on the game). But it was funny to see this whale doing pirouttes, being carried around the stands like a participant in a mosh pit, etc. Someone, obviously with an impared sense of humor, deliberately threw it onto the field so a ballboy would get rid of it. As soon as the ballboy took it away, someone behind us screamed "FREE WILLY!" That has to be one of the funniest things I'd ever seen and heard. Much Love Medea's Child | | Friday, June 28th, 2002 | | 1:11 pm |
Another trade in one of my leagues
Dealt Derek Lowe, John Halama, and Tony Fiore for Eric Milton, Danys Baez and Hank Blalock. Lowe's the key player I gave up---neither Halama nor Fiore will be kept by the other team next year (they're depth help for my trade partner). All three of the guys I got will be carried over. It's a good deal for me, I just don't like rebuilding (essentially giving up this year to strengthen yourself for future years). I usually "reload on the fly", as it were. Oh, well. Blalock should be someone to build around. Medea's Child | | Friday, June 14th, 2002 | | 12:04 pm |
Note to self:
If the Lakers, Kings or Dodgers win another championship and I'm still working downtown, take the goddamned parade day off. Much Love Medea's Child |
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