We are about 40 minutes away from National Novel Writing Month. I had spent a little time plotting out my mystery novel, but something else was calling me, so I scrapped most of what I had plotted, and now I just have a main character and I'm not sure what's going to happen next.
But most of my computer time will be taken up trying to reach 50,000 words before the end of the month, so I will likely not be posting much.
If this notice works they way it usually does, I will suddenly be inundated with writing ideas.
Happy November! Remember, my birthday is this Sunday, and I love it when people make a big deal about my birthday!
10/31/2007
10/25/2007
Ticket Price Gouging
I was listening to Marketplace on NPR last night, and there was a report on ticket prices for the World Series. The reporter talked to people who were lined up alongside the Green Monster at Fenway, spending the night there in the hopes of getting the limited number of same day tickets that are made available.
The prices reported for World Series tickets are obscene, ranging from $700 for one bleacher seat to $7000 for a ticket behind home plate. And these prices are down from the 2004 World Series.
The reporter also talked to some ticket agents, and the gist of their argument was: free market, baby.
But no one ever asked the question I had, which is: how do these agents get the tickets? They aren't the ones sleeping out overnight in front of the stadium. Do they clog up the phone lines when the tickets go on sale? How do they then get access to prime seats like right behind home plate? Or is it the simplest explanation, which is that they are given the rights to sell tickets that the general public does not have access to?
I can't quite imagine a scenario that doesn't leave me thinking: these guys are price gouging. Many states had implemented laws against this sort of mark-up, but it is almost never enforced, and most of the states that did so have removed that restriction all together.
I'd be curious to hear from anyone who is familiar with how ticket agents get their supply, and whether I'm making this more nefarious than it needs to be. Either way, I think it's wrong to essentially make it impossible for people of limited means to participate in something simple like going to a game.
The prices reported for World Series tickets are obscene, ranging from $700 for one bleacher seat to $7000 for a ticket behind home plate. And these prices are down from the 2004 World Series.
The reporter also talked to some ticket agents, and the gist of their argument was: free market, baby.
But no one ever asked the question I had, which is: how do these agents get the tickets? They aren't the ones sleeping out overnight in front of the stadium. Do they clog up the phone lines when the tickets go on sale? How do they then get access to prime seats like right behind home plate? Or is it the simplest explanation, which is that they are given the rights to sell tickets that the general public does not have access to?
I can't quite imagine a scenario that doesn't leave me thinking: these guys are price gouging. Many states had implemented laws against this sort of mark-up, but it is almost never enforced, and most of the states that did so have removed that restriction all together.
I'd be curious to hear from anyone who is familiar with how ticket agents get their supply, and whether I'm making this more nefarious than it needs to be. Either way, I think it's wrong to essentially make it impossible for people of limited means to participate in something simple like going to a game.
10/22/2007
Learn from my mistakes
Do not take one dog and two cats to the vet at the same time.
Unless your blood pressure is low and the doctor recommends more stress, in which case, knock yourself out.
Unless your blood pressure is low and the doctor recommends more stress, in which case, knock yourself out.
New to Blogroll
Basket of Kisses, a blog about the outstanding AMC series Mad Men, started by Deborah Lipp and her sister Roberta, has been added under the "Entertain Me" section of the blogroll. There are 9 or so months until season 2, and the show has enough going on that there will probably be plenty to talk about until it's here.
ETA: Rich Sommer, who plays Harry on Mad Men (one of my favorites), also has a blog, and it's been added to the "Entertain Me" section as well. Do check out his new driver's license picture, and then scroll down to see his old driver's license picture, which is the best driver's license picture in the history of automobiles. And by best, I mean funniest.
ETA: Rich Sommer, who plays Harry on Mad Men (one of my favorites), also has a blog, and it's been added to the "Entertain Me" section as well. Do check out his new driver's license picture, and then scroll down to see his old driver's license picture, which is the best driver's license picture in the history of automobiles. And by best, I mean funniest.
10/19/2007
I have a feeling this will negatively impact my productivity during NaNoWriMo
The Daily Show now has its own website featuring 8 years of videos.
Here's one of my all-time favorites:
Here's one of my all-time favorites:
10/18/2007
Doddmania
As a lifelong Connecticut resident, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to catch the Doddmania:
Thanks Chris for being a leader!
Maureen,
It's been a busy day, but I wanted take a moment and let you know that I have decided to place a "hold" on legislation in the Senate that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies that enabled the President's assault on the Constitution by providing personal information on their customers without judicial authorization.
I said that I would do everything I could to stop this bill from passing, and I have.
It's about delivering results -- and as I've said before, the FIRST thing I will do after being sworn into office is restore the Constitution.
But we shouldn't have to wait until then to prevent the further erosion of our country's most treasured document.
That's why I am stopping this bill today.
I've gotta run, but please visit my campaign website for more details.
http://www.chrisdodd.com/fisa
Chris
Thanks Chris for being a leader!
10/17/2007
Quick Note
I haven't commented much (here, anyway) about the latest in politics (sliming Graeme Frost, SCHIP veto, World War III with Iran, etc.) because I am not currently in the proper state to say anything much beyond 'HAS THE WORLD GONE COMPLETELY INSANE?!'
I am instead relying on distraction, and urge you all to help my favorite new show stay on the air: please watch Pushing Daisies! (ABC, Wednesday, 8pm) That goes double if you are a Neilsen viewer. I need whimsy to help me through these troubling times!
I am instead relying on distraction, and urge you all to help my favorite new show stay on the air: please watch Pushing Daisies! (ABC, Wednesday, 8pm) That goes double if you are a Neilsen viewer. I need whimsy to help me through these troubling times!
10/15/2007
The weekends just fly by
Saturday - up at 8, shower, fold a load of laundry and start another, out the door at 8:30. Stop at Weight Watchers for weigh-in, then head to Petsmart to get mealworms and crickets for the class gecko, Geiko, who we are hosting this weekend. Home. Home, and then leave with my sister and mom to go pick Sio up from school. But first, we have to stop at the car rental place so I can share the driving with my sister.
Drive up to Worcester, check out her room, explore the campus with my mom who's never been there, load up the car with stuff Sio is bringing home, start home. Stop for some shopping and late lunch/early dinner. Get home and immediately feel horrifically ill. Take a nap on the couch, miss my class reunion - eh. Watch one terrible movie (My Super Ex-Girlfriend - just atrocious), then a pretty good movie (Thank You For Smoking - not much like the book, but definitely more satirical), then a movie I can't quite describe in one or two words (Borat - I had to cover my eyes for parts of the movie (naked wrestling), wonder at the fact that people who ostensibly speak in tongues live in this century and country, and kind of enjoy the sweetness of Luenelle and Borat together).
Go to bed.
Up at 8 for church gig. Shower, dress, all that jazz. Go to church, criticize the intergenerational message along with my fellow altos, sing one kind of cheesy song and one lovely Handel piece, leave before the sermon. Get home, immediately get a call from my sister, she'll be over in 5 minutes. Try to track down Sio to see if she wants to come, but cannot find her. My sister comes, we head down to New York. Stop at IKEA on the way down. Shopping with my mother is like shopping with a 5 year old, she keeps disappearing on us. Get back on the road. Make our way to Long Island, but my mom can't remember where her sister lives. Fully explore Montauk Highway between West Islip and Cogiacue (sp?). Finally get a map and figure out where my aunt lives. Visit. Stop at the pizza place so my mom can bring home a pie she likes. She buys 4 pizzas and gives one to me. We drive home.
Get home around 9:30p.m. Send the little one to bed. Have to get up early for orchestra tomorrow. And bring the gecko back, which I'm looking forward to, because it's cold in here and I don't want to turn the heat on yet, but I don't want the little lizard to freeze to death, either. I have swaddled his tank in blankets and put a space heater next to it.
Watch Pushing Daisies with Sio. Fool around on the computer. Jeebus, it's already almost 12:30. Must go to bed!
Drive up to Worcester, check out her room, explore the campus with my mom who's never been there, load up the car with stuff Sio is bringing home, start home. Stop for some shopping and late lunch/early dinner. Get home and immediately feel horrifically ill. Take a nap on the couch, miss my class reunion - eh. Watch one terrible movie (My Super Ex-Girlfriend - just atrocious), then a pretty good movie (Thank You For Smoking - not much like the book, but definitely more satirical), then a movie I can't quite describe in one or two words (Borat - I had to cover my eyes for parts of the movie (naked wrestling), wonder at the fact that people who ostensibly speak in tongues live in this century and country, and kind of enjoy the sweetness of Luenelle and Borat together).
Go to bed.
Up at 8 for church gig. Shower, dress, all that jazz. Go to church, criticize the intergenerational message along with my fellow altos, sing one kind of cheesy song and one lovely Handel piece, leave before the sermon. Get home, immediately get a call from my sister, she'll be over in 5 minutes. Try to track down Sio to see if she wants to come, but cannot find her. My sister comes, we head down to New York. Stop at IKEA on the way down. Shopping with my mother is like shopping with a 5 year old, she keeps disappearing on us. Get back on the road. Make our way to Long Island, but my mom can't remember where her sister lives. Fully explore Montauk Highway between West Islip and Cogiacue (sp?). Finally get a map and figure out where my aunt lives. Visit. Stop at the pizza place so my mom can bring home a pie she likes. She buys 4 pizzas and gives one to me. We drive home.
Get home around 9:30p.m. Send the little one to bed. Have to get up early for orchestra tomorrow. And bring the gecko back, which I'm looking forward to, because it's cold in here and I don't want to turn the heat on yet, but I don't want the little lizard to freeze to death, either. I have swaddled his tank in blankets and put a space heater next to it.
Watch Pushing Daisies with Sio. Fool around on the computer. Jeebus, it's already almost 12:30. Must go to bed!
Grabby Brad was about 10 seconds from getting a kick in the balls.10/06/2007
10/04/2007
Did you hear me scream?
Johnny Depp sings
Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin
Sasha Baron Cohen as Signor Pirelli
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street trailer
I'm underwhelmed by Depp's singing in the trailer (oh, Len Cariou, you spoiled me with your crazed fury on that line), but I am keeping an open mind.
Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin
Sasha Baron Cohen as Signor Pirelli
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street trailer
I'm underwhelmed by Depp's singing in the trailer (oh, Len Cariou, you spoiled me with your crazed fury on that line), but I am keeping an open mind.
New to blogroll
Stephen Fry - make some time, read his blessay on fame, and ponder how he would shame everyone if he were ever on Celebrity Jeopardy.
10/03/2007
Answers to Tuesday Trivia
We'll start with #11
11. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse
I was surprised no one got this one, but the correct answer is The Harvey Girls. Judy Garland is a mail order bride, but she ends up working at The Harvey restaurant with a bunch of worldly young women. Features a great classic song, "On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe".
#6. "Friendship", "Do I Love You?", "Salome"
This one is kind of a moldy oldy, but it does offer some fun moments if you like vaudeville era jokes. These songs are from the movie Du Barry Was A Lady, in which a hat-check clerk played by Red Skelton in a nightclub wins the Irish Lottery, which wins him the hand of the nightclub singer he loves, May Daly, played by Lucille Ball, even though she's really in love with a poor but talented dancer played by Gene Kelly. I wish I could find a video of the song Salome as performed by Virgina O'Brien - she is the queen of deadpan.
3. Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Dick York
I'm not surprised no one guessed this one, but it makes me kind of sad because it is the delightful, if flawed, My Sister Eileen. You should definitely add this one to your Netflix queue if you are a fan of musicals - there is an absolutely brilliant dance battle between Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall that may be one of my favorite filmed dances ever. The movie also stars Janet Leigh as the sister in the title and Jack Lemmon as Betty Garrett's love interest. Definitely check this one out if you haven't seen it - Fosse choreographed at least one other number in the show, and you can see a some of his soon to be trademark style.
OOOOH! I'm so excited, the dance battle is on YouTube - see below:
11. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse
I was surprised no one got this one, but the correct answer is The Harvey Girls. Judy Garland is a mail order bride, but she ends up working at The Harvey restaurant with a bunch of worldly young women. Features a great classic song, "On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe".
#6. "Friendship", "Do I Love You?", "Salome"
This one is kind of a moldy oldy, but it does offer some fun moments if you like vaudeville era jokes. These songs are from the movie Du Barry Was A Lady, in which a hat-check clerk played by Red Skelton in a nightclub wins the Irish Lottery, which wins him the hand of the nightclub singer he loves, May Daly, played by Lucille Ball, even though she's really in love with a poor but talented dancer played by Gene Kelly. I wish I could find a video of the song Salome as performed by Virgina O'Brien - she is the queen of deadpan.
3. Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Dick York
I'm not surprised no one guessed this one, but it makes me kind of sad because it is the delightful, if flawed, My Sister Eileen. You should definitely add this one to your Netflix queue if you are a fan of musicals - there is an absolutely brilliant dance battle between Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall that may be one of my favorite filmed dances ever. The movie also stars Janet Leigh as the sister in the title and Jack Lemmon as Betty Garrett's love interest. Definitely check this one out if you haven't seen it - Fosse choreographed at least one other number in the show, and you can see a some of his soon to be trademark style.
OOOOH! I'm so excited, the dance battle is on YouTube - see below:
10/02/2007
Tuesday Trivia
Since Deborah at Property of a Lady isn't feeling well, and will not be putting up a Tuesday Trivia post, I thought I would put one up for those who need their Tuesday Trivia fix.
This one is all about movie musicals. I'm going to list three songs or actors, you name the musical they have in common.
1. "That's Entertainment, "By Myself", "Sweet Music"
The Band Wagon, solved by Melville
2. Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, Marilyn Monroe
There's No Business Like Show Business, solved by Melville
3. Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Dick York
4. James Whitmore, Bob Fosse, Keenan Wynn
Kiss Me, Kate! solved by Deborah
5. "My Baby Just Cares For Me", "Looking At You", "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)"
Everyone Says I Love You, solved by Melville
6. "Friendship", "Do I Love You?", "Salome"
7. Fred Astaire, Oscar Levant, Billie Burke
The Barkley's of Broadway, solved by Deborah
8. Ray Bolger, Frank Morgan, Joseph Cawthorn
The Great Ziegfeld, solved by George
9. "You, Wonderful You", "Get Happy", "Fell In Love"
Summer Stock, solved by Deborah
10. Buddy Ebsen, Eleanor Powell, James Stewart
Born to Dance, solved by George
11. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse
Place your answers in the comments!
This one is all about movie musicals. I'm going to list three songs or actors, you name the musical they have in common.
1. "That's Entertainment, "By Myself", "Sweet Music"
The Band Wagon, solved by Melville
2. Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, Marilyn Monroe
There's No Business Like Show Business, solved by Melville
3. Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Dick York
4. James Whitmore, Bob Fosse, Keenan Wynn
Kiss Me, Kate! solved by Deborah
5. "My Baby Just Cares For Me", "Looking At You", "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)"
Everyone Says I Love You, solved by Melville
6. "Friendship", "Do I Love You?", "Salome"
7. Fred Astaire, Oscar Levant, Billie Burke
The Barkley's of Broadway, solved by Deborah
8. Ray Bolger, Frank Morgan, Joseph Cawthorn
The Great Ziegfeld, solved by George
9. "You, Wonderful You", "Get Happy", "Fell In Love"
Summer Stock, solved by Deborah
10. Buddy Ebsen, Eleanor Powell, James Stewart
Born to Dance, solved by George
11. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse
Place your answers in the comments!
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