Last updated 6-28-2022
Hellooooo, blondie! I'm not really sure how the Warner Brothers' "Hellooooo, nurse!" mutated in my mind, but it did, and now every time I see a blonde... well, no, I don't actually say it, but I do think it. ;)
Yes, my iBook is still doing well, thanks for asking. I've got to get a USB audio input device so I can start recording my music directly to Dana (and the 256MB of additional RAM I'll soon be purchasing will also help in that department), but in the meantime I can do everything else I need to with no difficulties. I've gotten several compliments, questions, and envious stares while using the computer on various buses and trains... In fact, I'm writing this Vitriol on the New Jersey Transit route 127 bus!
All right, Doggett is slowly starting to grow on me. "The X-Files" started with a bang this season (of course, it generally does), but like every long-time fan of the show, I'm rankled by the lack of Mulder. The 'new guy' is quite capable, but of course he's no Fox Mulder, so it's going to take a while before he's fully accepted, by Scully and Skinner and by us. In the meantime, Fox is still out there, somewhere...
I saw "Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas'" yesterday with my friend Dawn, and I must say I was quite impressed. Jim Carrey managed to keep his own personality in check most of the time, and he did a wonderful job portraying the Grinch as a Who who was really just lashing out at the town and the holiday that had broken his heart. I won't go into any more detail, but I think that Ron Howard and the rest of the crew fleshed out the story very well and kept it true to the feel of Mr. Geisel's original story. The visuals were spectacular as well; of course the Grinch's and the Whos' makeup jobs were incredible, but Whoville, and all the musical instruments, and Mount Crumpit, and, well, just everything was well done. I especially liked the scene where the Grinch is providing Max with his motivation as a reindeer; take a look not at Max's headgear, but at the Grinch's.
This election has been pathetic. Really. As much as I don't want Dubya in office, and I really really don't want him in office, this situation must be resolved, and the lawsuits must end. The initial demand for a hand recount was warranted, certainly, but all the legal wrangling over individual counties and dimples and disqualified overseas ballots has gotten out of control. In any case, whichever man becomes the next President of the United States of America will be well aware that he didn't get the job by any huge majority. Should tell you something, guys...
Peru's president's status has changed suddenly, for the better. Bye-bye, Fujimori! A shame that Milosevic is still going to be visible and active in Yugoslavian politics... Um, I know there have been other global events to focus on of late, but there's still a pointless war going on in Chechnya! Seems like Putin may be gently, quietly back-pedaling a little on his earlier hard-line stance against the 'bandits.' Kinda late for that, sir; you're still going to be a hypocrite when finally you pull the troops out without decisively defeating the rebels as you'd promised to do. And as I'd predicted you wouldn't do. Politicians...
As horrified as I am by the situation between Israel and the Palestinians right now, I suppose I'm somewhat relieved that it hasn't erupted into a full-scale war or dragged other Arab nations into it. Not that it still can't... But I still believe that both Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak want peace. I also firmly believe that Barak is the Israeli politician most likely to bring that about, and if either side waits too long and Barak is replaced, it's going to be that much tougher to clinch a deal. Grit your teeth and do what needs to be done, gentlemen.
I'm going to finish this edition of Vitriol with two things: firstly, the real end to the second millennium is upon us. ;P Look up the facts on the subject and accept it, or else follow the herd that can see naught beyond those pretty zeroes. The rant I wrote on the subject last December is still up on my Writing page... And speaking of writing, the second item is a novel, "Duck Egg Blue" (Prometheus Books), by science teacher and author Derrick Neill. To be honest, I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but I received an E-mail from the author explaining that the book deals with the fight against creationism being taught as gospel in the classroom, and the fight against discrimination by the Boy Scouts of America, two fights he's actively engaged in. As I agree that these are both noble efforts, I promised him I'd mention the book on my site, and so I have. :) Buy it. Makes a great holiday gift... - A
Last updated 6-28-2022
