1. My friend Foust sent me this. The Institute of Official Cheer. I was especially fond of The Grooviest Motel in Wisconsin:
Majestically, the majestic Gobbler Motel & Supper Club sat atop a hill in majestic Gobblerland, Wisconsin. In retrospect, it was an utter piece of crap. But an important one.
2. I have to give a shout-out to Gorilla Glue. What a fantastic substance. My famous pull-toy fish, which I have had and loved since I was in high school, is finally back in working order thanks to the wonder that is Gorilla Glue.
For whatever reason, we are drawn to the most fragile things.
There’s rows and rows of houses
With windows painted blue
With the light from a TV
Running parallel to you
But there is no sunken treasure
Rumored to be
Wrapped inside my ribs
In a sea black with ink
-Jeff Tweedy, “Sunken Treasure”
1. Saw Lucinda last night. What a great show - she’s got such a rich and powerful voice, and her band kicked ass all over town.
2. Photo.
1. I was in New York over the weekend. Now I am back.
2. Jessie The Dog is also back, after spending the weekend at his country home. I missed him.
3. Pots and kettles department: This would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. A “senior White House official” accused Barack Obama of “intellectual laziness”:
President predicts GOP will keep control of White House after ‘tough race’ in 2008
4. This is kinda interesting. From Daily Kos: SUSA swing state matchups:
At least in these states (MO, OH, IA, NM), at this point of the race, the GOP’s best candidate is clearly Giuliani, and the Democrat with the best numbers is Edwards.
5. Barbie’s Arm:
1. Recent Movies:
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: I remember reading this, way back in the day, and loving it. As a movie, however, it’s one of the most un-watchable films I’ve ever seen. 1/5.
I Shot Andy Warhol: This was pretty interesting from a sort of faux-art-historical perspective - I’ve always been pretty fascinated with Warhol and The Factory - and in some ways this was way better than it could have been. Still, I’m not sure I really understood - or gave a shit about - Valerie in the way the filmmaker wanted me to. Or even really understood what the filmmaker thought of her. 3/5.
Richard III: There are things I liked and things I disliked about the decision to set this production in 1930’s England, but the best reason to see this movie is just to watch Ian McKellen having fun. You can just see in the ways he plays with the viewer that this role in this production is about as much fun as an actor can have. It’s a delight. 4/5.
Shortbus: What a bizarre movie. This definitely had some thoughtful (and strong) messages. Maybe a little too intensely at times, but worth seeing. Though not for the squeamish. 4/5.
2. Photo.
1. In case you were wondering about the link between bad pop culture and bad pop politics, this is both funny and a little scary. One can make the case that both a certain teen starlet and a certain administration’s policies are washed up and on their way out. Here’s a link from Raising Kaine: Britney, Conservatism, and the Cost of a Servile Electorate.
How did Britney Spears, the living embodiment of unattainable, innocent, youthful excitement, become a worldwide embarrassment, fallen, pitiful, hapless, and lost? How did the movement of “Small GovernmentTM“, “Strong MilitaryTM“, and “Family ValuesTM“, produce a culture of ignorance, bigotry, and corruption?
2. Not Britney, not republican, and not a bad photograph.
From earlier this summer. Near Broadway, Virginia.
1. I’m in Richmond tomorrow for the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts. Corner of Forest Hill Avenue and 43rd Street, just across the Boulevard Bridge. Come by and say hello.
2. Ran 15 miles this morning. Sweet.
3. This is pretty good: From blogger Chuck Beretz: When Ron Paul supporters attack! The same could be said for most right wing posturing: Why bother with reason and discussion when you can just call people names?
4. I like this. From Raising Kaine: Virginia Republicans Abandon All Hope.
I have no sympathy for the Bush Republicans in Virginia and across the country as the power of their bankrupt movement rapidly recedes, but neither do I take any great joy in their mounting despair. I believe that once Democrats amass enough political power to overcome conservative obstructionism, we will be able to roll back the reactionary policies of these years and all America will rejoice in our American renaissance.
Resist the schadenfreund. We’ll rejoice when Democrats have America back on track, until then, we’ve got work to do.
5. Face.
1. Awww, damn. First it was Mose Tolliver, who left us last October. Now word arrives that Jimmy Lee Sudduth has passed away.
“I paint with my finger ’cause that’s why I got it, and that brush don’t wear out,” he said in an interview quoted in the catalog of one of his exhibitions. “When I die, the brush dies.”
I didn’t know him personally, though I met him a few times. Still, I can’t even tell you how much artists like this have had an effect on me. You can see it in the eyes - Jimmy Lee made art because he needed to - both for himself, and because he needed to brighten everything around him.
Nice that the Kentuck Festival (and Georgine Clark, its wonderful director for many years, and who was and is always so kind and welcoming to me and everyone there) were mentioned in many of the obituaries.
2. The always informative Charlottesville Tomorrow has interviews with all the Charlottesville City Council candidates. Read, listen, understand, vote.
I’m definitely a Democrat, and have no qualms with any of the 3 Dems running for council, but I also have to say that I like the experience and background that Peter Kleeman brings to the race. I think our city would be well-served with any of these four on council. They all bring good qualities to the table.
3. Sancho Panza Tossed in a Blanket
