Keepin it Real... Lame
1 Comments Published by Chattyslacks on Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 4:59 PM.
Ok, I am over my love affair with Sacha Baron Cohen. It’s not that I’ve grown weary of his antics or find him too crass and juvenile (I love crass & juvenile), but the Investigator sent me a video clip of a Sky News report that has now been picked up by the NY Times which has officially put me off.
I’m all for the punking of assholes and exploiting the ignorant plebes of the world, but what happened here isn’t actually that. As a lover of comedy and all things irreverent I find what he did an affront to witticism and humor in general.
The whole genius of his shtick is that he positions the unassuming into those horribly embarrassing situations where they are allowed to expose themselves for what they are, making us cringe and laugh in horror. Sure, the premise (big gay Austrian or dopey Kazak reporter) is false, but the objects of the joke are relatively free agents with regard to their own responses and actions. Apparently not.
What I find particularly offensive is that Cohen, out of character, continued the lie in a series of appearances and in news reports leading up to the film. Perhaps this wouldn’t be any deal at all if the implications didn’t have the potential to impact the object of his “joke” so seriously. Presenting a Palestinian civilian as the leader of a terrorist group is no fucking joke. To be honest with you, even when I saw the film and believed the set-up I didn’t find this scene funny or clever. I’m usually keen on the social commentary only this time there was none. I might be less offended if the scene actually worked.
I wonder if I created a fictitiously translated interview with one of his unwitting German or Polish speaking relatives about their involvement ushering Jews into ovens and mass graves he would think that was funny...HA HA HA asshole!
There’s a part of me that believes this may well be the Russian nesting doll of jokes carefully constructed by publicists to attract attention to his disappointing flop of a film – he lies to us about his lie and we get all worked up about it only to learn later that Mr. Abu Aita was in on it the whole time.
Blink. Blink.
It’s still not funny.
I’m all for the punking of assholes and exploiting the ignorant plebes of the world, but what happened here isn’t actually that. As a lover of comedy and all things irreverent I find what he did an affront to witticism and humor in general.
The whole genius of his shtick is that he positions the unassuming into those horribly embarrassing situations where they are allowed to expose themselves for what they are, making us cringe and laugh in horror. Sure, the premise (big gay Austrian or dopey Kazak reporter) is false, but the objects of the joke are relatively free agents with regard to their own responses and actions. Apparently not.
What I find particularly offensive is that Cohen, out of character, continued the lie in a series of appearances and in news reports leading up to the film. Perhaps this wouldn’t be any deal at all if the implications didn’t have the potential to impact the object of his “joke” so seriously. Presenting a Palestinian civilian as the leader of a terrorist group is no fucking joke. To be honest with you, even when I saw the film and believed the set-up I didn’t find this scene funny or clever. I’m usually keen on the social commentary only this time there was none. I might be less offended if the scene actually worked.
I wonder if I created a fictitiously translated interview with one of his unwitting German or Polish speaking relatives about their involvement ushering Jews into ovens and mass graves he would think that was funny...HA HA HA asshole!
There’s a part of me that believes this may well be the Russian nesting doll of jokes carefully constructed by publicists to attract attention to his disappointing flop of a film – he lies to us about his lie and we get all worked up about it only to learn later that Mr. Abu Aita was in on it the whole time.
Blink. Blink.
It’s still not funny.
Not that I want to turn this into the blog about Shit I Find on the Street (although not a terrible idea), I do feel compelled to post about this particular “item” spotted and snapped by the Investigator.
She seen it sitting on the corner of our block and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this WTF moment. You may not be able to see much detail, but you can probably make out that it’s a kind of part-horsie/part-llama, sporting a helmet and antennae, ready for action beast, free for the taking. Of course it didn’t last through the day despite the fact that it sat at the dead end of a block on a street that borders the freeway. In my mind, some Faire going types recognized this lost mythical creature from the land of their weekend dragon-slaying re-enactments and rescued her from a lonely life next to the 101.
Moreover, where did the critter come from and why? If any of you three readers have ideas, thoughts, legends, etc, please share. Whoever has the best story will win… a sticker.
Brang it!
The Streets of San Francisco or Gurl, Hold My Weave!
3 Comments Published by Chattyslacks on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM.
Een and I spotted this gem on the sidewalk about a block from the Eagle Tavern. It's not unusual to find the occasional weave or extension strewn on the streets of our wee city, but they’re usually of the super-tore-up variety which I imagine have been ditched due to crab infestation or ripped out in a messy catfight between rival tranny hooker gangs. Alas, this one is in seemingly pristine condition. How was this lost, I wonder. What’s the scenario? Did some diva let out a blood curdling white woman screech when she realized (on the 9 San Bruno at 2am) that her tailfeathers was missing? Or did that same diva throw it down after a date gone bad, a gesture of her quest for a new life and a bigger, better wig? One can only imagine.
Perhaps this lost hairpiece is some analogy for my neglected blog… naw.
Be coiffed, and be well!
In honor of Bastille Day and my new love affair with Paris, here's a little video I shot a few weeks ago on my crappy wee camera...
i know, im such a child. i laugh every time i see this tube stop and i finally had the courage to snap a quick fotie of it. the station itself is actually quite lovely. i have fotie of that as well, but it doesnt make me giggle like an idiot so whats the point.
you can probably guess where ive been if you didnt already know. well im back now and still riding a bit of a high from going on an adventure.
i havent decided yet if i want to end this or not. i think im not keen on closing down shop until ive decided about another venue of some sort, but that could take eons and i know the masses are on pins and needles in anticipation.
alas, i ask for more time... be patient please, and be well.
I’m wondering if it might be time to say goodbye to this here blog. When I started it nearly six years ago I had no idea what the hell I was doing and nearly six years later I still don’t know. It’s gotten to the point now where I’m just being a neglectful mother – not nurturing or supporting the growth of my spawn. Sad.
I’m not going to make any decisions right now. There will be at least one more post to let you know if I will carry on or let her go. I wonder if anyone will protest... Hmf. In the mean time I will be taking a break from regular SF life to travel in search of my muse.
More to come!
Bon Anniversaire Moi-même!
1 Comments Published by Chattyslacks on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 11:14 AM.
guess what i got for my birthday on monday... a stomach virus! just what i like - something i wouldn't bother to go and get on my own, but so pleased to receive as a gift. sigh.
this is what happens when one gets old - we talk about how we're falling apart.
i also have terrible tendinitis in my right hand and wrist. im reporting this not simply to kvetch in my old age, but because it's the reason i havent blogged in so long. ive had many moments where i thought 'i should blog about this', alas the reality of the pain in my hand steals any possible opportunity. in fact, my employer has purchased voice activated software for me to try. when i eventually get back to work i'll take a crack at it. wish me luck.
so im all SUPER bored at home now for the 3rd day in a row and i want so desperately to go for a walk in the sun, but without the assistance of triple proof adult diapers i aint going nowhere. as a result i have been contemplating joining facebook because thats what i think bored people do. but what happens when im no longer tethered to my home toilet? i will be expected to maintain my profile and then it will prove exactly how lame i am. what kind of misanthrope joins a social networking site!? the very concept gives me cramps - wait, no! maybe its the virus. what does it say about facebook that it can possibly generate the same symptoms as an angry intestinal microbe?
i promise im not being a luddite. im not in any way averse to modern technology, i just have to wait until whatever modes im currently employing no longer make sense. cell phone is a good example: i didnt need a cell phone ten years ago because i still had a land line and so did all of my friends and we just made plans and stuck to them like millions of people have done so many generations before us. to not have a cell phone now would be like hermitting in a pakistani cave, only sending occasional vhs and cassette taped messages to the world via my tech savvy jihadist comrades.
no, my real problem with the facebook is a social phobia thing. i wasnt lying about being a misanthrope... i think most people, especially in groups, are loathsome. im also terribly averse to small talk and dont suffer fools easily. in addition, despite my occasional curiosity regarding the whereabouts of creepy ex girlfriends, i dont want to actually find anyone from my past. i have so many wonderful people in my life right now that i dont have much interest in those i havent seen or heard from in twenty years. actually, that is not entirely true - a friend from high school got my phone number through another friend and called a few weeks back. it was wonderful to catch up with her and i was totally comfortable getting into a long conversation with her after many years without contact. if that same person asked me to "friend" her on facebook i might have recoiled at the thought. not because its her, she's delightful, but because i dont know someones motives for wanting me to show up on their list of so-called friends after so many years. the fact that she actually took the time to call and leave me a message told me everything i needed to know.
so back to my cell phone analogy: until it no longer makes sense to stay away from the facebook pariah, i will likely be here in my potrero flats cave, making plans to see my geographically convenient friends of the now on my newfangled talking apparatus. crazy me!
before i go, i should qualify my previous sentiments: i dont believe that everyone using facebook is a vapid dolt, desperately consuming the mundane to fill the void in their insipid little lives, no. and certainly not my friends (including my better half). in fact, i get how it can be useful, entertaining, and even a healthy addition to one's life - just not mine... for now.
ok, what can i eat that is less boring than rice and applesauce? the doc said to stay on the b.r.a.t. diet, but im not sure why it matters since it all comes out in a matter of minutes anyway. whats the goddamn point? i should just have the coconut curry chicken soup that im craving or even a vegan veggie burger sounds like a fucking party right about now. i might just do it - bananas and dry toast be damned! hmf.
be regular and be well!
this is what happens when one gets old - we talk about how we're falling apart.
i also have terrible tendinitis in my right hand and wrist. im reporting this not simply to kvetch in my old age, but because it's the reason i havent blogged in so long. ive had many moments where i thought 'i should blog about this', alas the reality of the pain in my hand steals any possible opportunity. in fact, my employer has purchased voice activated software for me to try. when i eventually get back to work i'll take a crack at it. wish me luck.
so im all SUPER bored at home now for the 3rd day in a row and i want so desperately to go for a walk in the sun, but without the assistance of triple proof adult diapers i aint going nowhere. as a result i have been contemplating joining facebook because thats what i think bored people do. but what happens when im no longer tethered to my home toilet? i will be expected to maintain my profile and then it will prove exactly how lame i am. what kind of misanthrope joins a social networking site!? the very concept gives me cramps - wait, no! maybe its the virus. what does it say about facebook that it can possibly generate the same symptoms as an angry intestinal microbe?
i promise im not being a luddite. im not in any way averse to modern technology, i just have to wait until whatever modes im currently employing no longer make sense. cell phone is a good example: i didnt need a cell phone ten years ago because i still had a land line and so did all of my friends and we just made plans and stuck to them like millions of people have done so many generations before us. to not have a cell phone now would be like hermitting in a pakistani cave, only sending occasional vhs and cassette taped messages to the world via my tech savvy jihadist comrades.
no, my real problem with the facebook is a social phobia thing. i wasnt lying about being a misanthrope... i think most people, especially in groups, are loathsome. im also terribly averse to small talk and dont suffer fools easily. in addition, despite my occasional curiosity regarding the whereabouts of creepy ex girlfriends, i dont want to actually find anyone from my past. i have so many wonderful people in my life right now that i dont have much interest in those i havent seen or heard from in twenty years. actually, that is not entirely true - a friend from high school got my phone number through another friend and called a few weeks back. it was wonderful to catch up with her and i was totally comfortable getting into a long conversation with her after many years without contact. if that same person asked me to "friend" her on facebook i might have recoiled at the thought. not because its her, she's delightful, but because i dont know someones motives for wanting me to show up on their list of so-called friends after so many years. the fact that she actually took the time to call and leave me a message told me everything i needed to know.
so back to my cell phone analogy: until it no longer makes sense to stay away from the facebook pariah, i will likely be here in my potrero flats cave, making plans to see my geographically convenient friends of the now on my newfangled talking apparatus. crazy me!
before i go, i should qualify my previous sentiments: i dont believe that everyone using facebook is a vapid dolt, desperately consuming the mundane to fill the void in their insipid little lives, no. and certainly not my friends (including my better half). in fact, i get how it can be useful, entertaining, and even a healthy addition to one's life - just not mine... for now.
ok, what can i eat that is less boring than rice and applesauce? the doc said to stay on the b.r.a.t. diet, but im not sure why it matters since it all comes out in a matter of minutes anyway. whats the goddamn point? i should just have the coconut curry chicken soup that im craving or even a vegan veggie burger sounds like a fucking party right about now. i might just do it - bananas and dry toast be damned! hmf.
be regular and be well!
