ahhhh, zee Patriot Act, how you depress me
Well as uninformed as I am, I did see last night that the good ol’ Patriot Act was up for renewal (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/12/09/MNGPGG5BDE1.DTL) in Congress next week. And while I guess we aren’t in the worst case scenerio for this Civil-Liberties-meets-golf-cleats document, keeping it around four more years sure ain’t going to help things at all. If I gave it much thought in my day to day life, I’m sure my head would explode. Like I can feel it almost, in my mind, every little event, every news report and headline out of Iraq, North Korea, concerning natural resources, global conflict, I see them as these dominos, and the future just kinda streches out in an infinite plane of domino paths, and as each one falls, there’s to potential for the end of it all. Not that all the dominos are bad, but the bad ones that keep falling outweigh the good ones, and hey, it’s basic fucking math 2>1! And people, myself included, are so apathetic, they don’t care, they think if they go to church, and recycle, and stop for people in crosswalks it’s going to turn out okay. As long as they play by the rules, they’ll be okay and I swear that’s the most ignorant assumption to make cause one day, if it’s God you know- he’s going to tell the human race “You just sat around, you didn’t do anything.” And if it’s not then there’s no one to bail us out when it all goes to hell. It’s days like these that I can alllllmost feel my apathy slipping away- where I’m teetering on the brink of becoming psycho-politico activist. Then I just sort of step back, from the whole planet and reality- not unlike most Scientologists- and turn off the news, grab a book or catch a flick, and reestablish the vacuum of my mind. I’m so much happier then. Are my cartoons and comic books escapism? You bet they are, but what the heck are you doing that’s any better?
Thoughts on Christmas Cinema
Christmas movies are unique little oddities all their own. It’s a genre that doesn’t really get treated as such, because you end up with a cross-section of every time period, every medium and every incarnation film has taken since Gaumont and nickelodeons. We could get into the question of why we don’t have near as many Hanukkah and Kwanzaa movies, but I really don’t want to get into socioeconomics of American media/entertainment. Truth is Santa just doesn’t push any agenda outside of consumerism. And hey! You like consumerism don’t you? What are you, commie? Herr Klaus is a man with flair and fashion sense, and he just likes giving away candy and presents to the children of the world once a year, and then retreating to his compound where he lives with his endentured, childlike servants. I mean come on! He did THRILLER, man THRILL- oh wait, someone else.
Lots of people have Christmas Movie Lists, and a lot of them have plenty of my favorite films on there, but I wanted to do a list of my own. Here’s where my theory that Christmas movies are a genre of their own- all Christmas Movie Lists are practically the same.
You have the classics: I love It’s a Wonderful Life- a lot, probably more than is sane. On occassion I spontaniously shout “My mouth’s bleeding, Bert!” and no one ever gets it. I once looped “You’re a scurvy little spider, Mr. Potter!” to improve my Jimmy Stewart impression. I own the DVD.
The animated: The Nightmare Before Christmas is the most wonderfully melancholy, dark and morbidly charming animated film of all time. It is nothing short of genius and Jack Skellington is the coolest character Tim Burton ever had anything to do with.
and the non-Christmas: I watchDie Hard every three months, at least. If I’ve watched it too recently I’ll usually watch Die Hard 3 since it is superior to Die Hard 2, which I will only watch during December since it is more properly a Christmas movie.
These and their ilk are the ones you always see listed- and the new stuff: Bad Santa, Elf I own both of them, they’re histerical, I love em, but they’re on everyone’s list and chances are, everyone’s seen them, so I wanted to do a list of stuff you may not have seen, and it’s going to be a little weird, and include a few Christmas TV stuff- but well worth watching if you’re looking for something this holiday season.
Some Nicolle Christmas Classics:
Twilight Zone Episode: “Night Of The Meek”- One of the greatest things ever is the fact Sci-Fi Channel shows a marathon of Twilight Zone on New Year’s and among all the great great brilliance that is TZ this episode stands out as one of my favorites. Art Carney plays the against type Santa, the drunken bum who catches the spirit after a little magic ensues. It’s fun and fresh and suitably sappy for the holidays.
X-Files Episode: “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”- Tis a weird and enchanting one for sure. Scully and Mulder stakeout a haunted house on Christmas Eve. The previous occupants turn out to be Lily Tomlin and Ed Asner and really who doesn’t want to be haunted by Ed Asner? The man rocks. The whole episode is very tongue and cheek, especially when it comes to Mulder, Scully and ‘Mulder & Scully’. Written and directed by Chris Carter, it’s a great standalone from season 6 of The X-Files.
Scrooged- Okay this one is probably on everyone’s list too, but man what a great movie it is. Bill Murray in one of his best roles, with some very warped comedy, and plenty of ghosts, this is one of my favorite takes on A Christmas Carol. Not to mention Robert Mitchum and John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, Alfre Woodard, and a cameo from Miles Davis! I can watch it a billion times and still enjoy every second.
Gremlins- Another somewhat obvious christmas time addition, it gets overlooked sometimes, perhaps for the best. Mostly because it’s evil. PURE EVIL! The saving grace of the film is Gizmo and his super-cute little self. The dialogue and acting are kinda touch and go, but damn, Gizmo is cute as hell.
The Apartment- Not really Christmas centric, but one of the best movies of all time. I always get a kick out of the anecdote that Wilder filmed the office Christmas party on December 23, 1959, to get everyone in the proper mood. I love Jack Lemmon.
Ordinary People- Another really great great movie that sort of incidentially takes place around Christmas. But I think the season has a real purpose in Conrad’s conflict during the movie, and yes, I love Timothy Hutton. And also Donald Sutherland.
A Muppet Christmas Carol- I am obligated to plug any and every Muppet Movie of merit, and Christmas Carol is no different. It’s the Muppets, it’s great, it’s got Michael Caine as Scrooge, and if you haven’t seen it, I fear for your immortal soul. One of the first major teamups between Gonzo and Rizzo, sets the standard for their repatee in subsequent Muppet appearances.
…and for my Christmas animation I’m going to go with Batman the Animated Series Episode “Christmas with the Joker”- Classic first season BTAS with the regulars, first appearance of Robin, and my faves Harvey Bullock and Commissioner Gordon. To be honest since the BTAS eps are only 30 minutes long, I could throw in Batman Gotham Knights Episode “Holiday Knights” AND Justice League Unlimited’s “Comfort and Joy” for a movie length DCU Animated X-Mas.
So there you are, a weird list somewhat, and probably a few that are on other lists as well, but classics are classic for a reason. Happy Hols.
things over heard at the waffle house
“I need dressing!”
So this genetleman of Eastern, possibly Indian descent enters the Waffle House and demands a packet of salad dressing. The waitstaff and the cook look at each other oddly, perhaps confused by his accent, as he repeats his query. He then clarifies - Ranch, and upon recieving his glorious packet he disappears into the night.
Such are the wonderous dining experiences you subject yourself to when eating at the Waffle House. My hashbrowns were excellent, thank you for asking. This is how everything should be, random, unexpected and inexplainable. Certainly there’s a context to why this dude just walked up to the Waffle House and insisted on some Salad dressing, but who needs it. The mystery is the romance.
Then sometimes I wonder if this is a compulsion with me, the production I make of ‘going to the WH for dinner’. I mean yes I’m hungry, the WH is cheap, the food is decently prepared, but would I be patronizing the WH if I hadn’t become a huge fan of Dead Like Me? Would my sudden obsession with waffles have suddenly been replaced with tacos if Rube and his crew were meeting at Del Taco every episode? Probably. Is it a bad thing? My arteries may have something to say about that a few years down the line. I think that most people probably don’t do this- but then I think they probably don’t have as much fun as me.
it’s dark… and cold
Updating from the car. For those uniformed, I’m signed up for this holidailies thing which means I will make an attempt to blog everyday, a substantial amount, that isn’t just a sentence or two. Tonight’s thesis will be a brief examination of what will be the first of many car-entries.
I, like a lot of people, am poor. Being poor, and also fond of nice things means I have to finagle my finances to whim, if say I decide I NEED the Dead Like Me Season 2 box set- (which, if you’re curious makes a GREAT Present for your local Nic-spaz). Anyway I got my digital cable turned off a few weeks back, and that included the high speed internet. This is something I really take for granted, but the change up has gotten me into some other habits which are kinda productive so I haven’t been in a big rush to get things turned back on. Part lazy, part monies, whatever. I still retain most of my sanity.
One of the things that no-Internet has got me doing is war-walking/driving to piggy back a wireless connection whenever I want to check my mail at home, etc. This is fine and dandy when it’s warm- but ass-pain when it’s 28 degrees outside. Sometimes I hit th coffee shop, sometimes the library, but the Library is under construction now, and I’d made coffee at home tonight. So I’m in my car, running the heat, stealing some internet from neighbors right now to get my blog on. See the dedication? SEE IT? I got my black watchcap, fingerless gloves and bedrooms slippers on. I’m sitting in my car, in the dark, with my labtop.
In other news, and on a completely unrelated subject I’ve decided to campaign to have Raleigh join the metropolitian areas that are pushing for free-wireless for all. Like Austin (http://www.austinwirelesscity.org/), Philly (http://www.phila.gov/wireless/briefing.html), San Fran (http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/24/1328215) and some other places, I think all of Raleigh should join the cutting edge in this newest tech-trend. Next time I see the mayor, you better bet I’m soliciting this idea to him.
passed down from the moors of Scotland
Well, I see I’m going to need to be extra diligent about posting on weekends when I don’t have a connection and I tend to be extra busy. Saturday brought a bit of idle time in which I became inspired to do my world-famous Chicago style pizza. This pizza of legend is something I really get a kick out of doing, and which most everyone who has had it really gets a kick out of eating. Sans kitchen, I’ve been hard pressed to do this since college, so for Saturday I commandeered Xiaoxin’s and ran by my place to get the extensive pizza making supplies which I own, and fresh ingredients.
Chicago Style Pizza is a dynasty in and of itself, so properly, I tend to make it quite the event, with invites, music and appropriate pontificating to build up expectations. Xiao and Heather had never had any before but I knew two pizzas was going to be too much for just three, so I called Megan and Jeremy as well, as they’d never hear tale of the glory of the pizza either. With equipment and ingrediants gathered, attendees set, it was time to begin.
Everything is from scratch and the real art of my CSP (Chicago Style Pizza) is the dough. When I undertook to learn the secrets of CSP I was very intent on getting as close to Pizzaria Uno/Due as I could. Quick search turned up about a bajillion ‘real’ Pizzaria Uno recipes, so each time I’ve made it I vary the dough a bit to try for different results. This weekend produced some of the best damn dough I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself. Which I readily do.
Once you finesse your dough, giving it a few beatings, massages and time outs pizza construction begins. CSP it like some sort of delicious bizarro anti-pizza built upside-down. Cheese first. And so much cheese it is. I actually went kinda light on the cheese here, because the collective cheese tolerance levels were a bit low, but you get the idea.
Next comes the toppings. I’ve done all kinds of toppings, but kept things simple this go round with one pie being classic pepperoni and the other being a veggie- onions, green peppers and mushrooms deal.
Then we hit up the sauce. And calling it sauce is kinda a misnomer. I use crushed tomatoes, fresh basil and a dash of garlic and onion powder. It’s really plenty. I have tomato sauce in the shot, but I grabbed that just in case I needed it, which I never do.
And that’s it, you pop these guys into a 500 degree oven for 25 minutes and bam. Now this isn’t a recipe and I’m not giving you the sekrets of the pizza or anything, but I might if anyone is interested. No shots of the finished pizza cause we ate that stuff like staving dogs huddled around the oven. And for five people eating, I still have about a whole pie left over waiting for me. The thing to do is, since it’s a good 2+ hrs prep time, once you get the pies into the oven you start scarfing the leftover toppings and stuff. Other serving suggestions- keep some ranch and bleu cheese nearby cause you really do end up with a lot of crust, which makes it perfect for dipping.
So, there’s a little photoblog about Nic’s Holy CSP. Those lucky enough to have experienced it themselves will tell you it’s damned good. Those unfortunates who haven’t may solicit my pizza skills with a brief 200-word essay on ‘Why I deserve Nicolle’s pizza’.