"Additional information
Any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China."
Pretty broad list, there.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Makes me chuckle
I haven't been all that intrigued by the postcards on Postsecret.com lately. They're often boring and the same thing over and over again. However, this one caught my eye.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I've always wondered
...why they call him Oski.
From Oski.com:
"The official mascot of the University of California, Oski, has been a tradition at the school since making his debut on September 26, 1941 during the football season-opener against St. Mary's. Prior to his arrival, live mascots were used at Memorial Stadium with varying degrees of success. It was decided in 1940 that a costumed mascot would make a more suitable alternative to a live bear.
Named after the popular turn of the 20th century 'Oski Wow-Wow' yell, the Cal mascot is selected by the Oski Committee, a governing body that oversees all aspects of caring for the lovable, 5-foot-7-inch, size 15 tennis shoe wearing Bear. Oski's identity is unknown to everyone, with the exception of the committee.
Oski Wow-Wow!
Whiskey Wee-Wee!
Olee! Muckie-eye!
Olee! Berkeley-eye!
California! Wow!"
What a silly yell.
From Oski.com:
"The official mascot of the University of California, Oski, has been a tradition at the school since making his debut on September 26, 1941 during the football season-opener against St. Mary's. Prior to his arrival, live mascots were used at Memorial Stadium with varying degrees of success. It was decided in 1940 that a costumed mascot would make a more suitable alternative to a live bear.
Named after the popular turn of the 20th century 'Oski Wow-Wow' yell, the Cal mascot is selected by the Oski Committee, a governing body that oversees all aspects of caring for the lovable, 5-foot-7-inch, size 15 tennis shoe wearing Bear. Oski's identity is unknown to everyone, with the exception of the committee.
Oski Wow-Wow!
Whiskey Wee-Wee!
Olee! Muckie-eye!
Olee! Berkeley-eye!
California! Wow!"
What a silly yell.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Speaking of children
Sam's fifth birthday is right around the corner. What does a five-year-old boy want for his birthday? Difficult to determine. When you ask him, he says "something trains," but this is not helpful as he already owns every train related thing ever invented.
And I hate the trains. Blech. I guess I should mention that they're not just regular old train-set trains, but Thomas the Tank Engine trains that all have little cartoon faces on the ends and a corresponding DVD with high-pitched, sing-songy British voices. The DVD plays on repeat forever automatically, unless you turn it off.
For Christmas I went with books. There were some slightly bloody Tyranosaurus Rex-related titles that went over well. The all-time favorite was a book about dinosaur fossils. It featured glow-in-the-dark dinosaur skeletons on each page. Big hit.
I'll admit the books weren't a huge thrill upon unwrapping, but they seemed to be appreciated over time. I'll probably stick with books out of loyalty to my industry. And because I want to make sure the kid learns how to read.
And I hate the trains. Blech. I guess I should mention that they're not just regular old train-set trains, but Thomas the Tank Engine trains that all have little cartoon faces on the ends and a corresponding DVD with high-pitched, sing-songy British voices. The DVD plays on repeat forever automatically, unless you turn it off.
For Christmas I went with books. There were some slightly bloody Tyranosaurus Rex-related titles that went over well. The all-time favorite was a book about dinosaur fossils. It featured glow-in-the-dark dinosaur skeletons on each page. Big hit.
I'll admit the books weren't a huge thrill upon unwrapping, but they seemed to be appreciated over time. I'll probably stick with books out of loyalty to my industry. And because I want to make sure the kid learns how to read.
Two more things about Children of Men
I was thinking about the movie on the train this morning, when I realized that it's probably a fairly good movie if I'm still seriously pondering it after two days.
Here's what I was mulling over...
1) Did anyone else feel like it was only 30 minutes long? Maybe it's because I watched it in two sittings? Maybe it's because so many of my questions about what was going on were still unanswered? I looked it up online and it was supposedly a 109 minute runtime.
2) Let's discuss the title: Children of Men. Why? Why not "Children of People," "Our Children," "Human Children," or just "Children" ? It doesn't make sense. Men can't have children alone. Does that have something to do with the basic premise? Thoughts?
Titling is one of the hardest things for me at work. People are always so opinionated about titles -- they seem to know intuitively what a title should be -- and I feel like I can never come up with anything. I spend a crazy amount of time stuck on titles and what makes a good title vs a bad title.
Here's what I was mulling over...
1) Did anyone else feel like it was only 30 minutes long? Maybe it's because I watched it in two sittings? Maybe it's because so many of my questions about what was going on were still unanswered? I looked it up online and it was supposedly a 109 minute runtime.
2) Let's discuss the title: Children of Men. Why? Why not "Children of People," "Our Children," "Human Children," or just "Children" ? It doesn't make sense. Men can't have children alone. Does that have something to do with the basic premise? Thoughts?
Titling is one of the hardest things for me at work. People are always so opinionated about titles -- they seem to know intuitively what a title should be -- and I feel like I can never come up with anything. I spend a crazy amount of time stuck on titles and what makes a good title vs a bad title.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Blogging code of conduct
Here's an interesting article about a proposed set of guidelines for blog sites and blogging communities. Some of it seems reasonable, but I don't think they'll ever convince me not to allow anonymous comments. Anonymous comments make for at least half the fun in the blogosphere.
Business reading trends
"Management reading lists this year don't include tomes by celebrity executives. Instead, readers are seeking advice on the nitty-gritty tasks of running companies, analyzing complex data to make smart decisions and expanding undervalued assets."
So says The Wall Street Journal.
So says The Wall Street Journal.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Children of Men
I just finished watching Children of Men on DVD. It took me a couple of sittings to get through, because I have such extreme reactions to violence (even though I know it's not real) and this movie is so extremely violent. Have you guys seen this film? I'm curious to hear what others think... is the future really hopeless without the presence of children? I guess on a grand scale, yes, but what about the individual scale? There must be things other than future generations that provide hope and the prospect of a meaningful future in our individual lives.
And why can no guy ever understand my aversion to violence, even if it is only film violence? I don't like watching people get hurt or killed -- especially if it is an extremely graphic, realistic depiction. One of the key purposes of film is entertainment. I think it's a little sick that everyone seems to think there's something wrong with me just because I am upset by graphic renderings of the ways in which people can suffer. I think the world would be a better place if more people were upset by them. We watch movies to relax and have fun. Bloody beatings and/or death does not equal fun or relaxation in my book.
And why can no guy ever understand my aversion to violence, even if it is only film violence? I don't like watching people get hurt or killed -- especially if it is an extremely graphic, realistic depiction. One of the key purposes of film is entertainment. I think it's a little sick that everyone seems to think there's something wrong with me just because I am upset by graphic renderings of the ways in which people can suffer. I think the world would be a better place if more people were upset by them. We watch movies to relax and have fun. Bloody beatings and/or death does not equal fun or relaxation in my book.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
More bad news for books
From The Chronicle:
"Cody's Books in San Francisco is closing, following on the heels on the closure of its legendary Berkeley flagship store on Telegraph Avenue in July.
The last day for the Stockton Street retail shop will be April 20."
"Cody's Books in San Francisco is closing, following on the heels on the closure of its legendary Berkeley flagship store on Telegraph Avenue in July.
The last day for the Stockton Street retail shop will be April 20."
Turd dreams
I received a rare email from Turd Ferguson this morning. He wanted to tell me about this dream he had last night:
"We were at the Seafood and Wine Festival up here in Oregon. It was me, you, some girl from your business school, and Scotty Leonard. It was clear for some reason that you and Scotty were dating or something. All of a sudden, this conversation takes place--
Girl-"Becky thinks you should have gone to business school."
Me-"Really? That's cool."
Girl-"But actually, I think you look more like a janitor."
Then the Goose showed up and I followed her around a candy store trying to get her attention, because she didn't know me and I really liked her or something. Then my teeth started falling out and I woke up."
Turd then went on to tell me that he has recurring dreams about his teeth falling out, which is super weird because I do, too, and I always have.
RB and Turd -- separated at birth?
"We were at the Seafood and Wine Festival up here in Oregon. It was me, you, some girl from your business school, and Scotty Leonard. It was clear for some reason that you and Scotty were dating or something. All of a sudden, this conversation takes place--
Girl-"Becky thinks you should have gone to business school."
Me-"Really? That's cool."
Girl-"But actually, I think you look more like a janitor."
Then the Goose showed up and I followed her around a candy store trying to get her attention, because she didn't know me and I really liked her or something. Then my teeth started falling out and I woke up."
Turd then went on to tell me that he has recurring dreams about his teeth falling out, which is super weird because I do, too, and I always have.
RB and Turd -- separated at birth?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Networking by the pool
Next month I'm headed to one of my company's seasonal sales conferences. This one is in Sarasota, Florida, at the Ritz-Carlton. I'm looking forward to the trip, because even though Sarasota isn't exactly exotic, it is sunny and beachy. That goes a long way with me these days.
From what I've been able to gather, there's not a lot of leaving the hotel complex during the week. There are meetings scheduled each day in various hotel conference rooms, and at night there are events at the restaurants and bars in the complex.
One of the key functions of the conference is to network internally -- get to know colleagues from other departments and offices and establish a rapport. At least that's much of the reason they're sending me, a relatively new editor. I hear a lot of this networking happens poolside, over cocktails. I'm trying to picture this, and honestly, I'm having a hard time with it. Maybe it's because the concept of hanging out with coworkers in bathing suits makes me a little anxious.
Talking about event planning or publicity opportunities with no clothes on (come on, a bikini is essentially underwear) seems rough. And the mental image I'm getting imagining some coworkers their swim gear is not good, either. Have a become a prude?
From what I've been able to gather, there's not a lot of leaving the hotel complex during the week. There are meetings scheduled each day in various hotel conference rooms, and at night there are events at the restaurants and bars in the complex.
One of the key functions of the conference is to network internally -- get to know colleagues from other departments and offices and establish a rapport. At least that's much of the reason they're sending me, a relatively new editor. I hear a lot of this networking happens poolside, over cocktails. I'm trying to picture this, and honestly, I'm having a hard time with it. Maybe it's because the concept of hanging out with coworkers in bathing suits makes me a little anxious.
Talking about event planning or publicity opportunities with no clothes on (come on, a bikini is essentially underwear) seems rough. And the mental image I'm getting imagining some coworkers their swim gear is not good, either. Have a become a prude?
Delicious!
This is an extremely easy and wonderful pasta recipe. I made it for dinner tonight and I strongly recommend it.
BEA
I just read this blurb on this year's Book Expo America, a NYC conference I'll be at during the first week in June:
"The former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Dr. Alan Greenspan, will kick off BookExpo America's (BEA's) author events in a unique and special way by appearing as BEA's Conference Keynote Speaker on Friday, June 1 at 11am. Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, comedian Stephen Colbert, novelist Khaled Hosseini and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will be among the other many notable personalities who will be speaking at BEA this year."
I'm pretty geared up about that speaker line up. Exciting!
"The former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Dr. Alan Greenspan, will kick off BookExpo America's (BEA's) author events in a unique and special way by appearing as BEA's Conference Keynote Speaker on Friday, June 1 at 11am. Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, comedian Stephen Colbert, novelist Khaled Hosseini and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will be among the other many notable personalities who will be speaking at BEA this year."
I'm pretty geared up about that speaker line up. Exciting!
Comments?
I seem to be having some problems with blogger.com since my last post. Is there a link for you guys to post comments on each post? Sometimes it shows up for me... sometimes it does not.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
New hottie
Last night, Linda and I went to see Little Children, that Kate Winslet movie about the young parents who have an affair. After thinking about it for awhile, I don't think I liked it. It was all about trying to make a statement and not so much about having a super engaging plot or characters one can easily connect with.
Patrick Wilson, the male lead who I don't recognize from anything else, was definitely the highlight of the movie for me. Holy crap, that guy is beautiful. The director must have thought so to, for most every scene he's in involves him being at least half naked. I guess you don't need a plot when you have a half naked Patrick Wilson.
Patrick Wilson, the male lead who I don't recognize from anything else, was definitely the highlight of the movie for me. Holy crap, that guy is beautiful. The director must have thought so to, for most every scene he's in involves him being at least half naked. I guess you don't need a plot when you have a half naked Patrick Wilson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)