Recently in Links Category
I was browsing around Criterion's new-look website and happened upon a well written article about Anderson, Wilson and their movie.
Also, I've been meaning to link to a site you may have heard of, called Afrigadget. I don't know how to describe it, except to say it's a kind of Frankenstein show-and-tell meets social issues blog. It's not updated very often *cough* but it makes for compelling reading if you have some time to spare.
I like this ad. As unlikely as you may think this is, it's certainly full of emotion and it can be hard to watch at times. The 'huh' comes from this ad being put out by HSBC. I've seen their other ads and it certainly fits in with the strategy of trying to portray a bank that deals in shades of grey. Still, as Slate rightly says, I sure didn't feel like opening a bank account after watching this.
Newsweek has done it's traditional presidential election postmortem and as per usual, it's well worth reading. There's something to be said for inside information, like finding out how people really felt and what they were saying behind closed doors and when we hear quotes from the principal players, I feel that it allows us to humanize them. At least it allowed me to humanize them. Mind you, not enough to stop using my nickname for McCain ('OAD' - Old As Dirt), but at least enough for me to feel a bit bad for him. Nothing near my 2000 pity -- after seeing the aftermath of the dirty primary campaign against him in South Carolina -- but still a bit.
So without further ado:
Secrets of the 2008 Campaign - Newsweek
Not a whole lot to say. Just a single link:
Canadians honor soldiers killed in Afghanistan - MSNBC
This past Saturday, I hit the links in Niagara, to help a close friend celebrate the last remaining days of freedom he'll ever have before he ties the knot. On the positive side, I managed to regain not only my swing, but the confidence to use it fully. I hit most shots straight and long and with a remarkable amount of percision. Especially remarkable, because of how much beer was consumed. On the negative side... Well, let's just say that I made a few errors in judgement that were amusing to those around me and I'm glad to have provided some entertainment, courtesy of previously mentioned beer consumption.
Now about this article... Lately there haven't been many links posted, so I hope you'll keep that in mind and take a good look at the following. It's a stark reminder of the uphill battle that Barrack Obama faces, when it comes to the old and uneducated electorate. Frankly, it's depressing as shit.
In Flag City USA, where false Obama rumors fly - MSNBC.com
I watched 'Iron Man', last night and I thought it was very well made. All of the major roles were cast nicely and it was well directed. Scanning the Rotten Tomatoes reviews, one critic put it best, when he said "...Robert Downey Jr is the film's best special effect.". I was skeptical of him playing a superhero, but I'm not aware of any other known actor who could have, as it required the colonel's special blend of 11 secrets herbs and spices, including 'asshole', 'arrogant' and 'aggresive sarcasm' and with that kind of assiduously applied alliteration, how could I possibly be wrong in my assessment?
Anyway.
I have a personal message for one M. Bay. Have you seen this movie yet, guy? Bring a notepad and have your assistant take some notes (as I fear you can neither read nor write), before slowly reading them back to you. When compared to your 'work', it manages to do a 180 and then go another 360 degrees, for good measure. Proof that movies can make a lot of money, without appealing to the lowest common denominator of 'Ohhh... Shiny! Bright! Explosion!'
Off to bed for me, as I have an early start to the morning, but I leave you with this gem:
Obama Adding Detail to His Oratory - The New York Times
The Grand Old White Party Confronts Obama - The New York Times
As Nuclear Waste Languishes, Expense to U.S. Rises - The New York Times
Superdelegates, Back Off - The New York Times
'Blood' fans drink up milkshake catchphrase - USA Today
Love can hurt -- your bank account - BusinessWeek \ MSNBC
Conan, Stewart, Colbert unite in mock feud - MSNBC
I've been neglecting things, so my bad. It's been a hectic last few weeks, so it's not like I was being totally lazy... Just a bit lazy. I saw a band called Wintersleep, with Alison, last Thursday. She's a fan, so I hopped on the wagon and we went to see them play at the Phoenix. That had been the first show I've seen, since The National, so it was good to get back out. A lot of the people there seemed to be fervent fans and were singing along, which was cool. A nice vibe for sure.
So have some links:
When Republicans Endorse Obama - Newsweek.com
Motivated by a Tax, Irish Spurn Plastic Bags - The New York Times
There Will Be Blood - The New York Times
Nuclear Leaks and Response Tested Obama in Senate - The New York Times
The Edwards Effect - The New York Times
Chinese students pulled by opposing tides - The Washington Post / MSNBC.com
Another weekend bites the dust. The weekend highlight is easy to pick out, because it's pretty much the only thing I did and that's run a whole 11k. Most of you know that I used to run marathons, but after numerous setbacks with my knee... Let's just say that 11k feels like a big deal. A workmate reminded me of a pre/post-run stretch that I used to do back in my heyday, but had been lost to the mists of time in between injuries. Actually, it wasn't just any stretch, but the one key stretch I needed to do, to ensure a pain-free run. What I'm saying is that I could have been enjoying marathons for the last four years, instead of physiotherapists and osteopaths. Ahh, the life of an early onset Alzheimer's patient... A longish story short, I'm hoping to pick up the distance and be ready for at least the Ottawa 1/2, in May.
In other news, if all the stars align, I may be on the move at the end of either this month, or next. After an eventful five months at 163 Sterling, it looks like I might head back to the relatively calm 20 Silverbirch for my final six months. It's unfortunate, as I was really really looking forward to Spring and Summer in the city, but I'll take sanity over fun, 10 times out of 10. On the bright side, I'll be able to play golf a bit more than last years' once (which also equals the total from the year before).
As per our usual I-didn't-agree-to-this-arrangement arrangement, here are some links for you to check out. Topics include the Oscars, Olympics, architecture and the arts:
There Will Be Oscars - Newsweek
'Country' men discuss Oscar-nominated film - AP/MSNBC
Towering change for China - Financial Times
Smoke-free, customer-free in Beijing - Reuters/MSNBC
To Boldly Go Where Shakespeare Calls - The New York Times
Finally, congrats to Mr. Obama, for getting the job done in SC. Running against two Clintons can take its toll, although you wouldn't know it, from the 28 point margin of victory and the extremely large voter turnout.
