Nothing to Say and Saying It Loudly

Does anyone else recognize the curious parallels between the 1985 video for A-Ha’s “Take On Me” and Richard Linklater’s Waking Life?

Driving downtown, or thereabouts, on our way to pick up some chairs from the upholstery nazi yesterday (a story unto itself), we passed through an area called five points. It is part of the old town, riverside area, at the intersection of five roads (so it’s not just a clever name). But I digress. Presently it is home to half antique shops and half trendy youth stores - an interesting clash of cultures.

Anyway, so at the old Five Points Theater, since turned into some type of club (apparently), the marquee announces, what may be the biggest concert to come to Jacksonville all year. Of course I am talking about Insane Clown Posse and 2 Live Crew. Now first “the Crew” - who on earth would have thought they would still be hanging around? A group that was never much more than a lightning rod for the ire of the entire nation, but Miami in particular. I know Luther Campbell pops up every once in a while here and there, but the whole Crew?

Now for the whole point: in front of the theater there are about half a dozen teens, in full ICP regalia (black, ill-fitting clothes, poor hair styles, face paint). These teens are, as far as I can tell, simply loitering. Now this was at about 2:00 in the afternoon. I wonder: were they planning to stand around all afternoon, perhaps for 7 or 8 hours until the concert started?

Suppose that wasn’t much of a point after all.

Back in Florida again. I could complain about the trip down. About the lack of appreciable food on either flight (2 crackers and 8 mini pretzels). About the guy next to me drinking vodka at 6:30 am. About the minute leg-room afforded by the MD-88 and 767. About the showing of an episode of Becker during the flight.

But I won’t.

Becker? I mean - does anyone watch this show? Why is Ted Danson a star? Why is he still on television? I count him among those that did their best work a long time ago, who, for some reason, stuck around longer than they should have been. Included in this category, I also count John Ritter and Jane Curtin.

Steve Martin just isn’t funny. Why do these awards shows try humor? Celebrities mocking each other. Aren’t they parody enough? Just get on with the awards.

Otherwise, Michael Moore has some good points in an open letter to Bush 43.

As a breathing human, I feel it is my right - no my responsibility and duty - to comment on the war.

At least the senate had the (good) sense to vote against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The question remains, of the eight Republicans (thank you Lincoln Chafee - though I am not registered to vote in RI) that voted against, how many did so out of genuine concern for the environment? And how many realized that there was no need for new, potentially expensive exploration when there will be soon be cheap and abundant Iraqi oil, already discovered and featuring pre-drilled wells?

This from the New York Times:

“The chief proponent of drilling, Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, ended his remarks on the floor with an unusual but unmistakable threat to use his power as Appropriations Committee chairman against those who disagreed with him.”

Good one, Ted. Sure to win a lot of friends that way.

Apologies to those of you using Apple’s Safari browser. I am aware that all the text is rendered in italics. I reported this to Apple. As they have a keen interest in my opinion, I am certain this will be taken care of tout de suite.

I was going to write about how Neuron appears to have gotten rid of his stylish Volvo and replaced it with a far less stylish Infiniti. So what if it’s “Motor Trend’s Car of the Year” - it just isn’t very attractive.

But that discussion has been replaced by one far more exciting. A bit of background for those who don’t live here - it snowed yesterday, not very much, maybe just a couple of inches. The key feature was that this was so little that they did not bother to plow the parking lot behind my apartment until late at night (about 2 am, based on when the dogs started barking). I made what I think is my most important discovery in recent months.

Driving a rear-wheel-drive car is usually associated with the curse of fishtailing in snow and/or rain. Last night I discovered quite by accident that this can be harnessed and used for the forces of good.

I maneuvered a semi-controlled doughnut in the parking lot and was able to turn my car around almost on a dime. Think of the time this will save me in the future, when it snows, and I need to turn around quickly. I only wish I had done do months ago - just think of all the efficiency (and fun) I have been missing.