A ghost story.

I see him everywhere. He haunts me. Like a fever I can't escape.

Jeff Merkley, the fiend. Driven mad by his ravenous hunger for taxation.

In mystical [tele]visions, I spy him. Lurking in the forest, crimson red with a bloodthirst for [job] KILLING [tax hikes]. Or engorging himself on some beastly swine while the machines of war tear through the ancient kingdom of Colchis.

Only the white knight, Gordon Smith, can vanquish this foe. He defends our lands with prudence and virtue, his squire Edward Kennedy at his side.

Even in the safety of my web, I hear sinister whispers beckoning me to follow. Only to reveal Merkley's disembodied head threatening to levy a pox on us all.

Count your blessings states whose fate swing not in the balance, lest ye be haunted by PACs too.

I’m making a note here

In Cormac McCarthy’s The Road the man, at one point, realizes that his son isn’t alien. He is. The world that he knew is gone. His son, native to the post-Apocalyptic world that is, is at home on that Earth.

On Sunday, I pointed out to Rachel and Stacie that Hakeem, who will be 17 in January, was born in 1992.

On Saturday, the day before, Rachel and me and Stacie and Dustin played Rock Band 2 with our friend Hakeem. Rock Band has enough songs that I can now sing a four song Pumpkins set or a seven song Seattle Grunge-era set. At least half of the songs were from before Hakeem was born. But this isn’t about Rock Band. Or Hakeem.

I was in seventh grade when I met Logan. That was 1994. Maybe you’ve heard the story. We bonding over, big surprise, video games. A nerdier kid (I know, I know) was openly reading his Nintendo Power in 7th grade English class. Me and Logan were too cool. We had ours in our backpacks. Somehow, a day or so later, we ended up talking video games and Nintendo Power in gym class.

In all likelihood, you don’t know the story. If you do, not my version. Logan’s will be slightly different.

Whitley is going to be 17 next month. She was born in 1991.

I didn’t actually ever meet Whitley. I was in the hospital waiting room when she was born. But you would know that.

Some of you.

The real answer, is that I’m lately feeling old. Not all the time. But often enough when I realize the distance in time between the events I remember like they just happened, and the events that did just happen. In some ways, I’ve become an alien to my own world. At least, the different parts of it. I’m still friends with Logan. And Whitley. And Hakeem. But each friendship is separate. Alien. They are related by me, but each person has no knowledge beyond the stories I could tell. Even then, they may not be true.

The thought is, aging is like constantly being on The Road. To me, it could be a wasteland. Events that are past and have gone.

But it isn’t like that. There are other people on the road. Stories to tell. Stories to hear.

Netflix Two Cents: JFK

JFK (1991)

Verdict: The Boomer Da Vinci Code. Stone's 3 1/2 hour passion play is overwrought and sanctimonious [and thinly veiled Freudian wish-fulfillment], but never dull. And this "countermyth" has gained a surprising new resonance in our own WMD era.

You know you are an Oregonian when...

you vote and learn to abhor Bill Sizemore and Kevin Mannix.

...

Source...

Fall '08: Mixed

Fall is my favorite season, hands down. I like the leaves, smells, temperatures, and the memories I have from seasons past. I like pulling out my sweaters and jackets after a hot summer and driving around with the windows halfway down. Of all the seasons, I think fall weather enhances my everyday experiences the most: Things seem more vivid and crisp. Everyone moves a little slower and savors the final weeks of warm sunshine. Fall feels reassuring and hopeful.

This fall, on the other hand, has largely sucked ass. It came and is now going too quickly. It brought with it too much work for me to enjoy it. There have been too many losses and transitions. Everyone I know is either struggling or knows someone who is. While there have certainly been some exceptions, this fall has left me feeling melancholy and unsure.

It's not fall's fault. It's Sarah Palin's fault. It's the economy's fault. It's Logan's fault.

I've made a mix CD every fall for the past three years that I've listened to as I walk and drive around in the perfect weather. Fall mixes '06 and '07 were largely upbeat and celebratory, but certainly included hints of the winters fast approaching. Fall mix '08 reflects my feelings about this fall and is decidedly less jovial. It's about where we are and where we're going. I've been listening to it on a loop for a few weeks (which may give you a sense for how I've been feeling lately). If you're having the kind of fall I usually do, you may not like it. But if you're having a fall that's anything like mine, it may be just what the Dr. ordered.

Track list:

1. Things I Don't Remember / Ugly Casanova
2. You Were Right / Built To Spill
3. A Fond Farewell / Elliott Smith
4. Monsters / Band of Horses
5. The Times They Are A-Changin' / Bob Dylan
6. Reason To Believe / Bruce Springsteen
7. Cape Canaveral / Conor Oberst
8. Cath... / Death Cab For Cutie
9. House Of Cards / Radiohead
10. A Voice At The End Of The Line / M. Ward
11. Tables And Chairs / Andrew Bird
12. Be Good or Be Gone / Fionn Regan
13. Can't Leave Her Behind / Lee Ranaldo & Stephen Malkmus
14. Seeing Other People / Belle & Sebastian
15. Millbrook / Rufus Wainwright
16. Going, Going, Gone / Stars
17. After The Bombs / The Decemberists
18. The Last Last One / The Weakerthans
19. Eyes on the Prize / M. Ward

Download available for a limited time.

I Bloom Blaum

Now that 5/6 (approximately 83%) of our bloggers use that one consumer electronic device, I thought I would hype the single program that I have purchased from the App Store.

Bloom is an ambient noise generator from -- surprise, surprise! -- Brian Eno (& Peter Chilvers -- but who is keeping track).

It starts out as an electronic version of the Buddha Machine, looping randomly generated tones over a subtle ambient drone. But unlike other ambient projects, Bloom invites you to participate in the music creation by touching the screen and placing your own tones into the proceedings.

It share a lot of similarities with Electroplankton -- with the notable exception that you can actually find and pay for Bloom if you want.

It is a small and simple marvel. And well worth the asking price.

BREAKING NEARD UPDATE

DAY ONE:






















DAY SIXTY THREE:

All that jazz.

Utah peeps: now that the pre-season has started, what do I need to know about the Utah Jazz?

The ESPN Power Rankings hint at the possibility of a Boozer trade. Is this for real? Or is it just political fear mongering?

Also, I regret to inform you that Nell has gone turn-coat on us. Not only does she have (1/4) season tickets to the Blazers, she has also discussed getting her Deron Williams tattoo lazered off.

For shame.

Caring Is Creepy

The Office: It's too early to really say much about this season of The Office. So far, due to the worthless presidential debates, there has only been one hour long episode. But it was great. Jim and Pam got engaged. And all the characters continued to display the complexity that makes this show as great as it is.

Heroes: Heroes painfully crossed a tipping point last year between the "real" superhero concept of the first season and actual comic book style narratives. This season it safely reached the comic book side. Which means that we're now seeing time travel, metamorphoses, alternative timelines, deaths and rebirths, good characters inexplicably becoming evil and vice-versa. In other words it's becoming X-Men. I'd think these changes could be somewhat of a draw for anyone with an encyclopedic X-Men knowledge. If such a person reads this blog.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Still hilarious, although the show seems to be running into kind of a Simpsons problem. (You just can't be shocked by a character once you've seen them live through enough zany antics, or — in this case — once you've seen them smoke crack, bang a she-male or write a classic song about a visit from the "Night Man.") And poor sweet Dee. They just don't seem to know what to do with her most of the time.

Mad Men: The best show on television at the moment. Sure it apes the narrative style of The Sopranos. But shouldn't more shows? I love almost everything about this show. The setting. The style. The characters. I'd hope that everyone is already watching this show. Shame on you if you're not. And don't let the newfound hype bother you. It really is that good.

Kitchen Nightmares: I would say the only reality show I watch, but I can say only the best reality show I watch. Chef Ramsey knows his stuff, and I'm continuously amazed how well he can turn around crappy, struggling restaurants.

Fringe: I'm already done with Fringe. I watched the first few episodes and they weren't bad. But they weren't very good either. I actually think that I'd keep watching the show if the main character, played by Anna Torv, died. She terrible. I can't quite tell if it's bad acting, bad writing or some combination thereof. But she's just this lame, archetypal female FBI agent that comes off as a... umm... lame, archetypal ripoff of Scully or Clarice. Hell, the whole show is just a ripoff of the X-Files, except it isn't aliens and the Government. It's scientists and corporation. Also, just a guess, but obviously the mega-genius father to Joshua Jackson set up the whole "pattern" before he got himself institutionalized and lost himself his mind.

The Big Bang Theory: Another Chuck Lorre show (like Two and a Half Men). And another funny show that is what it is, says a few things, but primarily aspires to be funny. Mission accomplished.

Bad Timing: Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money and Pushing Daisies. My DVR didn't record the first half of the first Chuck. Which means watching it on the computer, then catching up. It hasn't happened yet. Likewise, my DVR chose not to record the 1st new Dirty Sexy Money. I'll probably watch the second tonight. Or I may wait, use the computer, then catch up. I watched half of a Pushing Daisies tonight. I'm intrigued. I'll create a series recording on the old DVR.

"Good Old Rock": Two and a Half Men and House. I don't really feel the need to elaborate on either show. I watch them. They keep my interest and they keep me entertained. I wish I could say the same about my Wii.

Gone or Forgotten: My Name Is Earl, How I Met Your Mother, Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. I don't know who Fox' animation is dominating on Sunday, but it isn't me. It's hard to watch any show when you can't tell the difference between the new episodes and the old episodes. My Name Is Earl has just lost it's touch. Much like with Malcolm in the Middle, quirky can only take you so far. And How I Met Your Mother. I remember writing a few years ago that it would be better if Ted weren't the main character and it was an ensemble show. Still true, except Ted is now irritating enough that I can't stand watching it. It's like if you turned the movie Swingers into a long-lasting sitcom. (Read: torture.)

This Defies Description

"Superdell" Schanze of Totally Awesome Computer fame(?,) is running for Governor of Utah. Here's my scan of the voter information packet.

He claims, "God told me personally that if we end abortion we will be able to discover and use the unlimited supply of oil right here in Utah" on his blog.

There's a lot more to shake your head at, no way can I capture all the craziness.

I Care Because You Don't

Thank you writers' strike. Zero new TV shows appeal to me this year. Zero.

I might eventually check out the pilot for Fringe. Actually, that is a lie. Why would anybody want to get invested into another J. J. Abrams project?

Beyond that, I don't even know where to begin. 90210? I'll leave that to Mark.

Shows I will think about following this season in order of most to least apathy:

Heroes: I still haven't bothered watching the first two episodes and something tells me I probably never will. All of the previews NBC runs during Sunday Night Football lead me to believe this show is completely bankrupt on ideas and woefully overreacting to its terrible second season. I doubt it is an accident that the series went downhill after Bryan Fuller ("Company Man") left to spearhead Pushing Daisies. I'll trust one of you to be the canary in the coal-mine for this season.

Entourage: Ditto -- although I have seen the first few episodes and they mostly suck -- but replace Bryan Fuller with Larry Charles. HBO needs some fresh blood and a gothic vampire series with Mark's favorite actress, Anna Paquin, isn't going to cut it. [I should say, however, that Generation Kill is worth watching if you are a fan of The Wire.]

The Office: I think we (and by we, I mean mostly Mark) have covered the American version of The Office enough on this blog. Wasn't there supposed to be a crossover with the British version at some point last season? Did it get the axe due to the abridged season? It is a cute idea, but very The Flintstones meet The Jetsons (or for you Generation Y kids: very Poochie). I haven't thought about this show in a year, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Survivor: "Good old rock. Nothing beats that!" In HD now. Plus Nell and I are watching it together.

Reaper: Severely underrated. I mean you can't get any more underdog than being on the CW (unless your series begins with G and ends in ossip Girl). I wish there were more shows like this on network television, but I guess the high school/college audience doesn't drive in the advertising revenue like it used to. This is the kind of series I would have loved ten years ago.

Pushing Daisies: Utterly charming. I am surprised I haven't Netflixed Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me -- high-concept serials unjustly terminated in their prime seem right up my alley. On a side note, Bryan Fuller recently revealed in an interview that he got his start in television by sending a spec script to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Mad respect.

30 Rock: 7 Emmy wins. Sarah Palin skits. This season has huge expectations to live up to. I have to give NBC some credit: (ignoring the fact that the show is one big corporate circle jerk) the network has been fairly lenient with its stay of execution despite the abysmal ratings [Not that an Emmy guarantees safety from cancellation. *Cough*].

Mad Men: The season is almost over, sure. But it has been quite good. Matthew Weiner (COL holla!) has been cribbing his narrative arcs from David Chase, so expect all the action in a Soprano-style penultimate episode of the season.

Dexter: I can't even imagine what direction the show could possibly take after the kitchen-sink approach to ratcheting up the narrative tension in Season 2. I might have mentioned somewhere on this blog that Michael C. Hall is an acting god.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: The two most watched shows on Hulu? Anyone? Well, you probably guessed it. Arrested Development and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. No mere coincidence. Arrested Development will always bear the cross of being an internet-minded series in a pre-digital video distribution age. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, on the hand, was just green-lighted for three more seasons. Small comfort, I know. Just let Night Man gently cradle you to sleep.

Sympathy for the devil

I'm probably the only person who feels bad for Heisman Trophy winning, murder rap dodging, former football phenom Orenthal James "O.J." Simpson.

O.J. was found guily of armed robbery after a 2007 heist in which he and his co-conspirators stormed a Vegas hotel room and stole--allegedly at gunpoint--some O.J. memorabilia.

The crux of the trial was whether or not O.J. had a gun. In my honest opinion, I do not believe the prosecution proved he did beyond a reasonable doubt.

It is clear that O.J. orchestrated the heist and that his cronies had guns. It is not clear that O.J. was packing heat.

It seems to me that a fair trial for O.J. is almost impossible. Most people think he got away with murder 13 years ago and deserves to be in prison. Even several jurors in the Vegas case admitted the same.

None of the jurors were black, adding to what can only be perceived as a stacked deck against him.

I believe that O.J. is guilty of every crime he's ever been accused of, but I don't like the way this worked out. I don't think he had a fair trial this time around, and the right to a fair trial must be upheld. I have a feeling this conviction will be overturned in appeal.

I wonder how I can talk you out of ever making that face again.

It works on so many levels!

I thought Biden crushed last night. Sure, Palin wasn't the train wreck we'd all imagined she might be, but she's a smart person who knows what it takes to win. I think the only thing she managed to do last night was reassure the base that she isn't a complete disaster. Biden, on the other hand, appealed to me in a way he hasn't in the past: I thought he looked comfortable, sincere, and presidential. Sharing a stage with the nauseatingly colloquial Palin ('Say it ain't so, Joe!'), I thought the choice was fairly obvious. It was the reverse of what happened in the 2004 VP debate when Chaney made Edwards look like a child. I could see Biden as president--Palin fell flat.