Beginning to realize now that this is a crazy week for Sebastian. Between his birthday and Christmas he has been getting cards and/or gifts every day for a week now and it is not over.
He is bouncing off of the walls and can't calm down.
It's wearing us out.
12.24.2004
12.23.2004
Bette Davis
In working on Bette Davis today I came across this old article from Bright Lights Film Journal on Bette Davis.
I had read this before but came to it today as it coincides with some of what I am thinking about now about Davis's acting style and how that is read and received. The thing that bugs me about Mandelbaum's article is the auteurist bent and how, even though this is billed as an article about Davis, it is more about the male directors she worked with and which ones were better able to contain or utilize her and which ones she was able to force into obedience.
He writes:
Not like that "mouse' Goulding or Rapper: lacking the "muscularity" of Curtiz and being "not born to lead."
Annoying.
I had read this before but came to it today as it coincides with some of what I am thinking about now about Davis's acting style and how that is read and received. The thing that bugs me about Mandelbaum's article is the auteurist bent and how, even though this is billed as an article about Davis, it is more about the male directors she worked with and which ones were better able to contain or utilize her and which ones she was able to force into obedience.
He writes:
Being a histrionic performer, Davis emphasizes polarities. The tendency to underline extreme emotions is both her greatest strength and greatest weakness. The actor creates the characterization, but the strong director creates the context, modulating the performance to harmonize with all other elements.Not very enlightening then as all this does is to further spread the idea that Davis was a bitch and her best films are those in which a "real" man, the "strong" director, stepped in to "modulate the performance." Like Mankiewicz whose "pleasant" experience with Davis must be attributed to "his foolproof script" and ability not to let anyone "hog the spotlight."
Not like that "mouse' Goulding or Rapper: lacking the "muscularity" of Curtiz and being "not born to lead."
Annoying.
12.22.2004
Ahhh
i have now officially finished grading. Everything is turned in.
All I have to do now is mail back a few things, send some emails, and I will be ready to get to my own work for a month.
All I have to do now is mail back a few things, send some emails, and I will be ready to get to my own work for a month.
In the Office
Sitting in the office trying to get some writing done as well as finish up grading and filling out forms.
Fun day.
Fun day.
12.21.2004
Update
Well one set of grades is in and the other should be done tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to finishing these per se, but it will be good to get rid of them.
Then write, write, write.
Then write, write, write.
12.18.2004
Silly Face
And here is mister silly face. All the children had me take their photos so that they could see themselves.
Here is how Sebastian wants to see himself.
Here is how Sebastian wants to see himself.
Here it comes
Here comes the cake. (Sorry for the tease as I see that I have no pictures of the actual cake.)
The Party
Here is the first of a few pictures from Sebastian's 4th Birthday party today.
Here he is getting ready for the party.
Here he is getting ready for the party.
12.14.2004
TiVo This
The New York Times > Technology > A Noun? A Verb? TiVo Says It's Neither
I found this to be both an interesting and somewhat disturbing article.
That they would not want TiVo to go the way of Kleenex or Xerox surprised me at first since I am not an advertising person. On further reflection, however, I can see why they would not want their brand to become that synonymous with the product as it would effectively kill the brand identity. OK, that is their prerogative.
What I find disturbing is how this seems to fit with ever increasing policing of trademarks and brand identity. In thinking about the above, I came to wonder if Kleenex or Xerox were not just "lazy" in protecting their brands as the article somewhat implies. Rather, would this type of trademark protection not have been seen as out-of-place, inappropriate, and possibly ridiculous 50 or perhaps even 10 years ago?
I'm not sure what else to say about this, but it just appears as another example of the increasingly aggressive protection of trademarks that the current system allows. I wonder when it will get out of hand.
And yes, I realize I am not saying much about why I think this is a bad thing. Maybe for another post.
I found this to be both an interesting and somewhat disturbing article.
That they would not want TiVo to go the way of Kleenex or Xerox surprised me at first since I am not an advertising person. On further reflection, however, I can see why they would not want their brand to become that synonymous with the product as it would effectively kill the brand identity. OK, that is their prerogative.
What I find disturbing is how this seems to fit with ever increasing policing of trademarks and brand identity. In thinking about the above, I came to wonder if Kleenex or Xerox were not just "lazy" in protecting their brands as the article somewhat implies. Rather, would this type of trademark protection not have been seen as out-of-place, inappropriate, and possibly ridiculous 50 or perhaps even 10 years ago?
I'm not sure what else to say about this, but it just appears as another example of the increasingly aggressive protection of trademarks that the current system allows. I wonder when it will get out of hand.
And yes, I realize I am not saying much about why I think this is a bad thing. Maybe for another post.
Finishing Up
Just finished with one of my last classes.
I was surprised that the class was actually liking the blogs. I felt as if they did not like them, but found out they did. I need to retool a little for next semester, but I am encouraged by what they did.
I was surprised that the class was actually liking the blogs. I felt as if they did not like them, but found out they did. I need to retool a little for next semester, but I am encouraged by what they did.
12.12.2004
train
Today Sebastian and I went to a model train show. This is one of the trains we saw. Sebastian liked this train, it was fairly long and had four cabooses, and he liked this part of the set-up where the cricus was.
Rock
Yesterday we all drove up to NYC for the day. We spent the time walking up and down 5th Avenue, along with about 2 million other people, from Rockefeller Center to F.A.O. Schwartz.
Here we are in front of the tree.
Here we are in front of the tree.
12.10.2004
Getting there
Almost done with the semester, although some new problems are presenting themselves.
I am looking forward to my teaching in the Spring, though it will be a little more hectic and a little less money, I will have more time to write which is part of what is important right now.
I am looking forward to my teaching in the Spring, though it will be a little more hectic and a little less money, I will have more time to write which is part of what is important right now.
12.06.2004
Killing Time
Waiting for class to start and just thought that I would post about how much I dislike Comcast. Have been without On-demand for over a month now and, yet, they do nothing unless I call and arrange for each step of the process.
12.05.2004
Long Time
Wow,
It's been awhile since I've been in here.
What has been happening? We went to see out friends J & L in Providence for Thanksgiving which, apart from the horrible traffic, was quite a great trip. We saw old friends and made new ones which is great. S. had a load of fun with the children and did not want to leave. Neither did I.
Today we went to the "Peace around the World" festival at U Penn. Great fun, highly recommend it next year and beyond.
It's been awhile since I've been in here.
What has been happening? We went to see out friends J & L in Providence for Thanksgiving which, apart from the horrible traffic, was quite a great trip. We saw old friends and made new ones which is great. S. had a load of fun with the children and did not want to leave. Neither did I.
Today we went to the "Peace around the World" festival at U Penn. Great fun, highly recommend it next year and beyond.
11.21.2004
Weekend
Had a nice weekend by most accounts.
Spent yesterday doing some shopping and taking it fairly easy. Had a good burrito for lunch.
Today found out that the New Jersey Children's Museum is not in Camden.
Spent yesterday doing some shopping and taking it fairly easy. Had a good burrito for lunch.
Today found out that the New Jersey Children's Museum is not in Camden.
11.18.2004
Someday cat blogging
I though I would share a picture of the great mouser.
Although she has gone down in estimation today in that she has been eating little metallic plastic filaments off of S.'s Halloween witch costume broom.
Oh well..
Although she has gone down in estimation today in that she has been eating little metallic plastic filaments off of S.'s Halloween witch costume broom.
Oh well..
11.16.2004
Cat and Mouse
Just wanted to pop in for a minute while I am waiting for a student to come by.
Last night was quite the adventure. A mouse foolishly decided to visit us in our apartment last night at 2am. Foolishly as our cat, Friend, quite amazingly spend 15 minutes tracking it down in the apartment, and then the next 15 playing with the mouse before we could get it away from her (quite the task in and of itself).
I now fully appreciate the phrase "cat and mouse" as Friend would grab the mouse in her mouth and bring it under the table. She would then let it go in front of her. Often, the mouse would play dead for a few seconds, probably hoping the cat would leave. Then it would try and dart away. Friend would either bat it with her paw to keep it in front of her, batting it back and forth until it would settle down, or she would run after it and grab it in her mouth, then drop it on the floor and sit on it. She would alternate between chasing and sitting on the mouse, occasionally running around with it in her mouth. It was quite the scene and, frankly, quite impressive in terms of how fast an eleven year old cat can move.
It's just too bad that that was how we had to spend from 2:30 to 3:30 in the morning.
Last night was quite the adventure. A mouse foolishly decided to visit us in our apartment last night at 2am. Foolishly as our cat, Friend, quite amazingly spend 15 minutes tracking it down in the apartment, and then the next 15 playing with the mouse before we could get it away from her (quite the task in and of itself).
I now fully appreciate the phrase "cat and mouse" as Friend would grab the mouse in her mouth and bring it under the table. She would then let it go in front of her. Often, the mouse would play dead for a few seconds, probably hoping the cat would leave. Then it would try and dart away. Friend would either bat it with her paw to keep it in front of her, batting it back and forth until it would settle down, or she would run after it and grab it in her mouth, then drop it on the floor and sit on it. She would alternate between chasing and sitting on the mouse, occasionally running around with it in her mouth. It was quite the scene and, frankly, quite impressive in terms of how fast an eleven year old cat can move.
It's just too bad that that was how we had to spend from 2:30 to 3:30 in the morning.
11.14.2004
SNL
Jut flipped on Saturday Night Live a few minutes ago and came to a realization:
shows that are "spoofs" of morning talk shows should no longer be allowed. They are not at all funny.
Later, saw skit of Appalachian Emergency Room. Didn't they used to that several years ago? Or was it more recent? In any event, it felt old. Was this episode - new cast doing old bits night?
shows that are "spoofs" of morning talk shows should no longer be allowed. They are not at all funny.
Later, saw skit of Appalachian Emergency Room. Didn't they used to that several years ago? Or was it more recent? In any event, it felt old. Was this episode - new cast doing old bits night?
11.12.2004
Weekend
A preview of the weekend:
Today is pretty busy and bad. I am in my office all day as I forgot to bring my keys. Had to be let in and can't really leave unless I want to go through callign security again. With the weather, it's going to be that kind of day.
Tomorrow S. is going to a birthday party which should be fun for him. I am going to stay home and try to write.
Today is pretty busy and bad. I am in my office all day as I forgot to bring my keys. Had to be let in and can't really leave unless I want to go through callign security again. With the weather, it's going to be that kind of day.
Tomorrow S. is going to a birthday party which should be fun for him. I am going to stay home and try to write.
11.10.2004
Some thoughts on the day
I have been enjoying the weather lately. Many of the people I come in contact with around here are complaining about how cold it is, but I really love it. The past two days have been in the 30s and amazingly sunny. To me there is no better weather than this.
Too bad for them.
Too bad for them.
Unease revisited
It seems my unease was justified. The fact that it has taken me over a week to respond to it makes me think that it was worse than I expected.
10.27.2004
Unease
I am both uneasy and at times excited about the prospects of next week. I worry too much about things like the election when I have my own things that should be occupying my mind. But, what am I to do?
10.18.2004
10.14.2004
Lists and more lists
Via various places, here is a list of questions:
1. What is your favorite word? pariah
2. What is your least favorite word? to show
3. What turns you on? intelligence and thoughtfulness
4. What turns you off? anti-intellectualism
5. What sound or noise do you love? My son waking up after his nap
6. What sound or noise do you hate? My son waking up at 5:30 am.
7. What is your favorite curse word? crap
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? perfume maker
9. What profession other than yours would absolutely not like to attempt? banking or finance
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear god say when you arrive at the gates? Don't worry, it's only a joke.
1. What is your favorite word? pariah
2. What is your least favorite word? to show
3. What turns you on? intelligence and thoughtfulness
4. What turns you off? anti-intellectualism
5. What sound or noise do you love? My son waking up after his nap
6. What sound or noise do you hate? My son waking up at 5:30 am.
7. What is your favorite curse word? crap
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? perfume maker
9. What profession other than yours would absolutely not like to attempt? banking or finance
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear god say when you arrive at the gates? Don't worry, it's only a joke.
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