That's Not Writing, That's Typing

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Armstrong/Crow Breakup

In an earlier post, I referred to a breakup denial by Lance Armstrong printed in response to an article about him in the Austin American Statesman. It looks like "where there's smoke, there's fire" and those rumors were true afterall. Maybe it was life in the slow lane that finished them off.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Space Suit Released Into Low Orbit

The spacesuit was pushed away from the ISS today 220 miles above the earth. It floated away feet first reminiscent of the scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey. For more information on the launch, see my earlier post Operation SuitSat.

More "Overlooked for the Oscar"

As mentioned in previous posts, we don't get the movies quickly here in Australia. Case in point, North Country started here last Thursday. Some movies aren't released in Australia at all. Presumably these movies are "too American" though I don't really understand what that means anymore as most Australian TV is American TV, a season late of course. That brings me to this article about movies which should have been considered for an Oscar, but weren't. I haven't seen most of these movies, as most of them haven't opened here. All things considered, maybe this works for us in Australia as we can still rush into the theaters and catch the movies mentioned in this thoughtful article. The article is an excellent critique of what is wrong with the nomination process in Hollywood and reveals some deserving films and performances.

Reese Witherspoon

If you loved Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line, take a look at her debut. The Man in the Moon (1991) is a wonderful family drama directed by Robert Mulligan who also directed To Kill a Mockingbird. This film has the same feel as the earlier one, but the subject matter is different. Reese Witherspoon plays Dani, a fourteen year old who is coming into her young womanhood and falls in love for the first time. Her older sister Maureen finds true love. Of course, both sisters fall for the same boy, but the result is not what you would think. It's a thoughtful, earnest film with believable consequences. It's easy to see the Reese Witherspoon-to-come from this first performance.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Tasmanian Devils' Future Brighter

Now that scientists understand the facial tumour disease which affects the Tasmanian devil population on the island, they feel that they can manage the spread of the disease and safeguard the population. Researchers have found that the malignant tumours are infectious and spread from devil to devil by biting and fighting, feeding and mating. Cancerous tumour caused by an infectious cell-line is very unusual. Previously, the spread was believed to be viral or air-borne which would have made the disease much more difficult to manage.

Danish Royals to Visit Australia

A spokeswoman for the Danish Royals told the Danish weekly B.T. today that Frederik, Mary and Christian will make a private trip to Australia this year. She did not announce a date or agenda for the trip. It is assumed the trip will include a visit to Tasmania, Mary's home state.

Around the Horn: Astros' Middle Infielders

Adam Everett is the Astros' shortstop and Craig Biggio is the second baseman. So where does Chris Burke fit into the lineup? Read Alyson Footer's report here.

Crikey, Mate!

First, get a pigeon. Then strap to its back a miniature backpack filled with a GPS satellite tracking receiver, air pollution sensors, a basic mobile phone, and a miniature camera. Hook it up to an interactive map on a website. What do you have? A pigeon blogger

Read this.

Operation SuitSat

Another empty suit, but this one has something to say...

The astronauts on board the International Space Station have a plan for this old Russian spacesuit. It'll be stuffed with old clothes, batteries, and a couple of electronic boxes and tossed overboard where it will become a cheap, homemade satellite and you can listen to the series of messages it will transmit. "All you need is an antenna, the bigger the better, and a radio receiver that you can tune to 145.990 MHz FM," says Frank Bauer with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "A police band scanner or a hand-talkie ham radio would work just fine." The mission begins this weekend and ends when the batteries run out.

Yummy Maple Butter

Use this butter on pancakes, muffins, waffles, pound cake, and any other bread. It's so easy and yummy.
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons honey
1 piece parchment or greaseproof paper

In a mixing bowl, using a spatula mash the butter with the maple syrup and honey until well blended. Roll it up in the paper, like a tube and twist the ends. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Practical Maybe, but not Romantic

Happy Valentine's Day, Darling! Here's your rock lobster!

A Tasmanian lobster company is tying rock lobsters with red ribbon and offering them as a "romance pack" for Valentine's Day. According to Amanda Way, the company owner, "We're making seafood sexy - my husband laughs at that one," she said.
"I do believe that there are a lot of women out there who would prefer to get a beautiful fresh lobster than just a box of chocolates and I hope you guys are listening out there."

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Larry McMurtry

Much-lauded Brokeback Mountain was filmed from a screenplay written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. McMurtry is one of America's best known authors. His novels are the basis of some excellent films. McMurtry's writing credits:
Horseman Pass By - novel on which Hud was based
The Last Picture Show - novel and screenplay
Terms of Endearment - novel with screenplay by James L. Brooks
Lonesome Dove - novel with screenplay by Bill Wittliff

Top Ten Smart Foods

1. wild blueberries
2. dark leafy greens
3. salmon, sardine, herring
4. spinach
5. red wine, or better yet, grape juice
6. whole grains and brown rice
7. hot cocoa
8. nuts, notably walnuts and almonds
9. olive oil
10. garlic

Read the entire article here.

Oscar Nods: Overlooked and Overrated

Overlooked were Cinderella Man and its star Russell Crowe. You could argue that Crowe's behaviour doesn't suit the Academy, but you can't argue with the quality of the performance or the film. As a result of the indifference for the film and its star, Ron Howard was also overlooked as the film's director.

Eric Bana was wonderful as Avner in Munich but overlooked for Best Actor.

Naomi Watts acted her little heart out in King Kong and she was terrific. She should have gotten a Best Actress nod. Sandra Bullock, overlooked for Best Supporting Actress, gave a gut-wrenching performance in Crash, outstanding in a wonderful ensemble cast.

Questionable nominations in my view were Judi Dench for Mrs. Henderson Presents and Keira Knightley for Pride & Prejudice. Although I loved both movies and both performances, Judi Dench plays this role in many films and Keira Knightley was great in Pride & Prejudice, but she was miscast for the part of plain Elizabeth.

Where is Grizzly Man in the nomination for Best Documentary feature?

Monday, January 30, 2006

Purple Heart

My Dad: Feb 1924 to Jan 2006

We lost my dad today. He lived through the Great Depression, picking cotton in Singleton, Texas, on a poor farm. He was drafted into the army in WWII, serving in the infantry in Germany. Dad earned his Purple Heart when he sustained an injury in combat which affected the rest of his life. He returned to Texas after the war, earned a Master's Degree, fathered two children and spent his life in cattle and rice agriculture in Texas. He lived to hold his great-granddaughter in his arms.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Outlander Series

The Outlander Series, which is called the CrossStitch Series in the UK market, begins with the story of Clair Randall, an English post-WWII army nurse who is trying to rekindle her war-interrupted marriage when she is pulled through standing stones and finds herself in the middle of a violent skirmish in the Scottish Highlands in 1743. She is rescued by the Scots from the clutches of her husband's ancestor, but only to be held in the castle on the suspicion of spying. That's the first 50 pages of this series which has six books, all 500 pages or more. Luckily, for you the series is complete, so you can start with Outlander (or CrossStitch) and read right through to the end of the story with A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Here's a good link written by a woman whose best friend insisted that she read the books over her objections.