Ebert

It takes a lot of guts to post a picture of yourself on the web when you're missing most of your jaw. I think this is the first time I've seen a public person allow themselves to be seen when they're so changed in appearance.

Ebert minces no words in stating that he is no pretty boy now (and that he never was) but he'll be damned if that stops him from doing what he's always done.

So . . . why exactly do women fret (or are made to fret) about wrinkles?

Here's the link.

So It Goes

Thanks for the Ice-nine, Bokononism, Tralfamadore, and Montana Wildhack. Farewell to Kurt Vonnegut.

Farewell from the Desert of the Real

Jean Baudrillard, french philosopher, died yesterday. Or, as the Onion wrote in Derrida's obituary, he "died." The title of this blog was inspired by him.

The Guardian obituary.

Husband Math

Anthony Kiedis

+

Joseph Fiennes

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What do Peter Sagal, Totoro, and Derrida Have in Common?

They're all on the SF Chronicle's Sexiest Fictional/Dead/Alive Men List.

This actually made me look up Peter Sagal's picture. I was surprised. I expected a spry, sarcastic looking young man. Well, he's spry and sarcastic looking.

And Totoro? Do you really want to go there? Here's his entry:

Totoro (animated forest spirit, Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro"): He's not really a man; he's more a giant, furry Blob of Cute, but he can fly. He belongs in the sky. We could belong to each other.

As for Derrida, not really my taste. Although I've always found this rendition of him hilarious:


Foucault, I think, was much hotter. In a Nosferatu sort of way. How could he be left out when Edward Said made the cut?

I Don't Want To Know (and you probably don't either)

It is always hard when you see the clay feet of your idols. In scanning for news of Studio Ghibli's Gedo Senki, I found the following quote from Goro Miyazaki - Hayao Miyazaki's son, and director of the new film (against his father's initial wishes):

. . . ever since I can remember, my father was often absent. . . I wanted him to look after me, and to play with me. But those opportunities almost never came. . . In this way, ever since I can remember, at the same time as enjoying them, I have been watching Hayao Miyazaki's works to understand my father. For me, Hayao Miyazaki gets zero marks as a father but full marks as a director of animated films.

This is the man who created My Neighbor Totoro? How is this possible?

But then I think of Christopher Milne, son of A. A. Milne, the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, who wrote in his biography that he felt he was a "part time hobby" of his parents, that his father bought him stuffed animals so that they could provide writing material, and that he resented his father's work.

And then I hear that William Mayne, much celebrated children's author, was convicted in 2004 of sexual assualt of young girls.

This is a very depressing world at times. Is nothing sacred?

Steven Seagal IS the New Manifestion of God's Power

I followed the link from Tengu's page for this CD:



Having sent in for and now listened to this divine piece of music, I can only echo the words of this Amazon reviewer:


Giving Hope to the Morbidly Obese
Kevin Keast "R4V4G3D_SKU11S" (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

Dear Mr. Seagal,

Tuesday, February 12th, was a pretty average day for me. I woke up, brushed my teeth, had my morning glass of mayonnaise, put on my beret, tossed my scarf over my shoulder, heaved a heavy sigh and ventured out into the cold. The suspension on my electric scooter sagged deeply, not unlike my longing heart. While the vanity bumper sticker that Mother had bought me proclaimed "A smile a day keeps the doctor away", I was a very, very lonely 42 year old man. I was morbidly obese and quite frankly, I didn't have the most pleasant odour about me. I was lucky if even that kid with the club foot that everyone chased after school would wave to me when I passed.

Doing the rounds of my paper route, I rode by my local music store. I heard Something about Lollipops emanating from the speaker. I heard the low and shrill sound and it immediately began soothing my jangled nerves. Little did I know that this little piece of plastic, with the wondroous words and lyrics of Steven Seagal burned onto it for all of eternity with a laser, was soon to change my life.

I immediately got out of my scooter, ran into the store, took a few minutes to try to catch my breath. Finally I was able to gasp out to the clerk: "That Cd. That voice of the angels. I need to have it now". I bought several copies in case I became hungry on the way home. I rushed home, changed into my athletic gear and utility belt and immediately began doing pushups. It was like I was a man possesed. I didn't know it at the time, but this CD harnessed the work ethic, the martial arts prowess and, above all, the stunning handsomness and fashion sense of Steven Seagal into one small package. All that I had to do was press play and I was transformed into the essence of Casey Ryback, ex-navy seal, counter-terrorist expert and environmental mercenary.

To the sounds of Mr.Seagal I was able to shed my weight and began taking daily showers. I now entertain several women per week, sometimes even several per day. I am making over $5000 a week stuffing envelopes from home. My life has become full of many smiles a day, and I look forward to each day with more anticipation than the last. I owe it all to the inspiring and electrifying work being done each and every day by Steven Seagal.

Thank you, Steven Seagal.

Your friend in arms,

Kevin Keast, Toronto, Ontario

Was this reivew helpful to you?

Of course this review was helpful to me - how could I not feel so when I find such comradeship in such unlikely places? There is another delightful comment listed below this one. Click here to buy the CD and read reviews that will enrich, embold, and enrapture.

Moltmannian: Published Scholar

Congratulations to Moltmannian, who received notice yesterday that his article has been accepted for publication by the Scottish Journal of Theology! This is no mean feat, considering the editorial board, and it gives me a sense of elated satisfaction to note that Jürgen himself has published in this journal.

So, look for Moltmannian's article on Moltmann & Ricoeur in a future volume.

The Gentleness of Heaven Broods O'er the Sea

One of our greats has passed away, and someone I believe lived with kindness and conviction. He opened up to me the possibilities of biblical narrative, the understanding that "c'est en racontant que interprete l'identite de Jesus." I don't believe his narrative has ended, but that he is now truly discovering a new mode of being, his ownmost possibilities. Peace to Paul Ricoeur.