Ginger's follies, foibles and fixations.
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| You Listen to Me, Mr. Kick-Ass Ginger's follies, foibles and fixations. |
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Saturday, October 12, 2002 This Week's Friday Five is too Hard 1. If you could only choose 1 cd to ever listen to again, what would it be? The first one which comes to mind is David Bowie's Hunky Dory, but really it could be nearly anything I like a lot. If I only had one CD I probably wouldn't play it much, since I'd get sick of whatever it was pretty quick. 2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be? This is unfathomable, but I'll just have to go with The Empire Strikes Back (original version) and Fight Club. 3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be? God, I hate these questions. Infinite Jest, because that's the only way I'd ever get through the whole thing; The Oxford English Dictionary (unabridged) and The Calivn and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book. 4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be? Assuming that nutrition is not an issue, I'd choose water, pizza, spinach (if I could prepare it different ways), and ice cream. 5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be? I refuse to answer on the grounds that this question is in bad taste. Like asking a parent which child they like best. posted by Ginger | 5:55 PM Thursday, October 10, 2002 Bowling for Columbine Sadly enough, going to see a movie might be as much activism as many of us can manage these days. Therefore, if you are in the below-mentioned cities, set aside a couple hours and $8-$10 this weekend. It may not be much, but it's something. Below is an e-mail from filmmaker Michael Moore, reprinted here in its entirety: ***************** October 9, 2002 My Film, "Bowling for Columbine," Opens This Friday Dear friends, fans, and fellow evildoers: I am very happy and excited to tell you that this Friday, October 11, my new film, "Bowling for Columbine," will open in New York and Los Angeles. It is, I promise, the last thing the Bushies want projected on the movie screens across America this week. The film is, first and foremost, a devastating indictment of the violence that is done in our name for profit and power -- and no one, in all the advance screenings I have attended, has left the theatre with anything short of rage. I truly believe this film has the potential to rock the nation and get people energized to do something. This is not good news for Junior and Company. Not when they are trying to drag us into another war. Not when a crazed sniper is exercising his constitutional right to own a high-powered rifle. Not when John Ashcroft is still prohibiting the FBI from looking through the gun background check files to see if any of the 19 hijackers or their associates purchased any weapons prior to 9/11 -- because THAT, we are told, would "violate" these terrorists' sacred Second Amendment rights! Yes, I believe this movie can create a lot of havoc -- but I will need ALL of you to help me do this. Are you game? Last February 5th, I wrote to tell you about a book I had written and how the publisher had decided to dump it because they were afraid to publish anything critical of Bush after 9/11. I appealed to you to save "Stupid White Men" from the shredder and to go out and buy it. I promised you would not regret it, and that the book would not only be a great read but an important organizing tool in gumming up the plans of George W. Bush. Within 24 hours, the book went to #1 on the Amazon best seller list. By the fifth day, the book was already into its 9th printing. The publisher was torn between its desire to kill the book or make a wad of money. Greed won out, and this Sunday the book enters its 31st week on the New York Times best seller list -- and its 32nd printing. This is all because of you, my crazy and loyal friends. You made this happen, against all the odds. Now I would like to ask you again to help me with my latest work, "Bowling for Columbine." It's a movie that many critics have already called my best film to date. They may be right. It is certainly the most provocative thing I have ever done. I have spent three years on it and, I have to say, it cuts deeper, harder and funnier that anything I have given you so far. The movie opens this Friday in New York and Los Angeles, and then in 8 more cities next week. How it does in these first ten cities will determine whether or not the rest of the country gets to see it. That is the nutty way our films are released. If it doesn't have a big opening weekend, you can kiss the film good-bye. Therefore, this weekend, this film must be seen by millions of Americans. Can you help me make that happen? "Bowling for Columbine" is not a film simply about guns or school shootings. That is only the starting point for my 2-hour journey into the dark soul of a country that is both victim and master of an enormous amount of violence, both at home and around the world. With this movie I have broadened my canvas to paint a portrait of our nation at the beginning of the 21st century, a nation that seems hell-bent on killing first and asking questions later. It is a movie about the state sponsored acts of violence and terrorism against our own poor, and how we have created a culture of fear that is based on the racial dilemma we continue to ignore. And it's a devastating comedy. This film is going to upset some pretty big apple carts. No film has EVER said the things I am saying in "Bowling for Columbine." I expect to be attacked. I expect certain theatres will not show it for fear of retribution. I expect that this movie will be a bitter pill for many to swallow. This is why I need your help. Movies live or die based on what happens at the box office the first weekend of its release. I need you, if you live in the New York or L.A. area, to go see "Bowling for Columbine" this Friday and Saturday -- and take as many family members and friends with you as possible. I guarantee you will not be disappointed -- and you may just see one of the best films of the year. Monday night in Times Square, "Bowling for Columbine" had its premiere. The crowd was amazing, as it was this past Saturday night at the Chicago Film Festival. The audience kept laughing or hooting or applauding so loud throughout the film that it was hard to hear the next line. The hate mail, the threats, the promises of retribution have already started to roll in to the distributor of this movie, United Artists. They are not backing down. But how long will this last? I need all of you in the New York tri-state and southern California areas to go see "Bowling for Columbine" THIS weekend -- the rest of you can see it in a couple of weeks when it comes to your town. A strong opening not only means that the rest of America will see this film, it means that a good number of people who see it are going to leave the film angry enough to get active and get involved. If it does poorly, I will have a difficult time finding the funding for the movie I want to make next -- a film about 9/11 and how Bush is using that tragic day as a cover for his right-wing agenda. Don't let that happen. Don't let the NRA have one more success by stopping the wider distribution of this movie. And, together, let us not remain silent in our opposition to Bush's phony war against Iraq. If you live in New York, you can see it at the Lincoln Plaza, the Sunshine and the Loews 19th St. In L.A., you can catch it at the Sunset 5, the Westwood Regent, Laemmle Sunset, Laemmle Towncenter (Encino), Landmark Rialto (Pasadena), and Regal University (Irvine). Also, please forward this to your other friends and tell them to go see "Bowling for Columbine" this weekend. And finally, don't miss our new website www.bowlingforcolumbine.com Thank you for your help with this. I feel so honored and privileged to have so many people interested in my work. Last January I was getting 70,000 hits a month on my website. Last month, I got 17 million hits. This alone speaks volumes about the vast majority all of us belong to who are sick and tired of what is going on and are longing for an alternative source of information. I hope that you enjoy "Bowling for Columbine." Thank you again... Yours, Michael Moore ***************** posted by Ginger | 12:06 PM I Have Nothing to Say But I'm so happy that my blog is back I have to type something anyway. La la la, here I am, typing, when I should be going to bed. Okay, I do have something. I started knitting a sweater today. After three hours I'm about half-done with one sleeve. That's actually pretty speedy. This is for me, not a gift. The public reason is that I'm afraid I might goof it up and won't want to give a loved one a lopsided sweater, but the real reason is that I want it all for myself--I need a cardigan more than you do, people. Damn this hobby is expensive though--nearly $90 so far for materials, with a lot more yarn yet to buy, and lets not even talk about the cost of the class. Remember kids: do not take up knitting because you want to save money on clothes! Nell and I are going to see Jason Trachtenburg tomorrow night at Ars Nova. Sadly, he'll be without his "Family Slideshow Players," as his young daughter is now more famous than he is and is off somewhere being interviewed, or hanging at the Playboy mansion, or something. I saw them about a week ago when they hosted the "Automatic Vaudeville" variety show--again at Ars Nova. Most of the acts were very good, including a snippet from Rich Hall, who's been playing there for a couple of weeks. One happy surprise for me was the appearance of one of my favorite cast members from Wet Hot American Summer (A.D. Miles) in a barbershop quartet thing. I got to talk to him a bit after the show, and gush about how much I love WHAS. He seemed genuinely surprised and flattered. Or frightened--sometimes it's hard to tell. After the same show, as I was chatting with J. Trachtenburg, he looked to the person next to me and said "Hi, Meg." Yes, it was that drummer gal from The White Stripes, who has been lately compared with 9 year old Rachel Trachtenburg in many a hip publication (both NY based drummers, both wear pigtails, etc.). As I left, I saw the other White Stripe leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. This leads me to believe that the Ars Nova, or maybe just Trachtenburg family shows, is where all the NYC action is. Speaking of: A couple of weeks ago I was housesitting at Mr. & Mrs. Boss's midtown apartment. One day I pulled their mail out of the mailbox and staring back at me from the glossy cover of "New York" magazine were none other than my former itinerant house-mates, The Liars! Well, I didn't live with ALL of them, but you know what I mean. They were chosen as the cover boys for the "New York's 25 Best Bands" story, and right in the article was mentioned (as is always mentioned) the Nebraska roots of their rhythm section. I guess I really should see them sometime then, yeah? Maybe someday. As I said, nothing to say. So I'll go to bed. posted by Ginger | 2:10 AM Monday, October 07, 2002 Hot damn; we're back in bizniss! posted by Ginger | 2:59 AM Because I am Just So Self-Obsessed Here are the Friday Fives I've missed since my FTP, or something, went tits-up: October 4 2002 1. What size shoe do you wear? Depends on the brand, but usually 7 and a half. 39 in European sizes. 2. How many pairs of shoes do you own? I think 18, looking at those jumbled on my floor. I might have more in a box somewhere, I don't remember. When I was getting ready to move from Seattle a year ago, I sold or gave or threw away at least 20 more pairs. 3. What type of shoe do you prefer (boots, sneakers, pumps, etc.)? It really depends on the season and occasion. But I guess if I had to pick one pair of shoes to live in (horrors!) I'd pick a good pair of cross-trainers. Ultimate comfort. By the way, am I the only person in the world who thinks that flip-flops are uncomfortable? No arch support, and most of them give me horrendous blisters between the toes. 4. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Why are they your favorite? [All of the following are in black leather--the only shoe-material you ever really need...] The best marriage of comfort and style is found, without question, in my Giraudon Sport slip-ons. I can walk around in them all day without getting sore feet, and they look way more chic than sneakers. These are also the only shoes of which I've bought duplicate pairs. I bought one pair, and when those wore out two years later I bought another pair (although instead of beatle-type ankle-boots I got shoes--otherwise exactly the same style). I never do that. For "dress" shoes I prefer my Nine West Mary Janes (not quite those shown in the link, but close). These are the only heels (albeit low ones) that I can wear all day in comfort. Honorable mention: My Born Mary Janes--partly because they are my newest, thus most cherished pair, but also because they are very "me" in style and very comfortable (as long as I'm wearing socks, white ones, because otherwise I get blisters). 5. What's the most you've spent on one pair of shoes? Sadly I don't know the answer to this offhand. I think probably the Giraudons--the first pair, the ankle boots--which were pretty close to $200. Typically I'll pay $70-$150 for a pair of shoes (full price, I'll pay less if they are on sale). Below that, the quality tends to suffer resulting in foot pain (I seem exceptionally prone to blisters), and above is--in most cases--simply unnecessary. Of course a lot of people would argue that spending more than, say, $20 is unnecessary, but I would counter that they probably haven't owned a pair of really good shoes and thus don't know what they are missing. September 27 2002 1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind? Read books (currently: Dave Eggers' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and Stephen King's On Writing Flip through, sometimes read, trashy magazines and catalogs. Watch DVDs (currently working my way through the first 3 seasons of The Sopranos) Knit stuff Pet my cat 2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands? Read books Flip through, sometimes read, trashy magazines and catalogs. Watch DVDs Knit stuff Pet my cat 3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells? Garlic & onions cooking in olive oil, leather, "fresh-out-of-the-dryer," vanilla. Are those "aromatherapeutic?" 4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself? By myself, but preferably in the company of my cat. I can be very relaxed with another person if we like each other a whole lot. With a group there's always some work involved. 5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don't? Being single. September 20 2002 1. Would you say that you're good at keeping in touch with people? Not as good as I used to be. 2. Which communication method do you usually prefer/use: e-mail, telephone, snail mail, blog comments, or meeting in person? Why? All of these have their uses; ideally I employ a combination of all the above. Because of my ridiculous need to share minute details of my life with friends and the public at large, I find Blogging particularly satisfying--until it stopped working about a month ago. Now I feel very isolated, which surprises me. I thought I was Blogging for myself alone, but obviously not since I can still post blogs, just nobody else can see them. Blogging is attractive in that it is less invasive than mass-emails and less time-consuming than individual emails, letters or phone calls. The downside is that, obviously, it lacks personal touches to individuals, so the same news, presented in the same way, goes to best friends, family, acquaintances and total strangers alike. This makes necessary a certain self-censorship, and generitization (is that a word? I'm too lazy to look it up) of my topics and language, which is a bit odd. (I think I'm reading too much Dave Eggers) Anyway, every so often I'd get an email in response to a blog entry, or I'd be mentioned in someone else's blog (fame, at last!). But it is too one-sided alone--it is necessary to supplement regular blogging with other one-on-one communication--face-to-face preferable, then phone. I used to hate talking on the phone until I developed a lot of long-distance relationships due to moving halfway across the country (either them or, more often, me doing the moving). Email used to be my communication method of choice, but lately I've gotten burnt out on it. I'd rather chat on the phone. I want to get back to writing letters again. I do, sometimes. 3. Do you have an instant messenger program? How many? Why/why not? How often do you use it? Not any more. I had MSN for a while. I only IM'd with Alex, which was fun, once every few weeks or so. But then I had to nuke my hard drive and never reinstalled it. I just prefer phone calls if you're going to chat in real time. It's worth it. 4. Do most of your close friends live nearby or far away? Far away, flung to the four corners of the world. Those being Seattle, Chicago, Nebraska and Colorado, mostly. 5. Are you an "out of sight, out of mind" person, or do you believe that "distance makes the heart grow fonder"? Depends on the person. If I don't want to talk to someone, it sure is easier when they live far away. Those I would like to hang out with, I miss them if they aren't nearby. This doesn't mean I'm always great at staying in touch with those I care about, however. Some people I love dearly, but I don't connect with them more than a few times a year, if that. My bad. posted by Ginger | 1:55 AM In the interest of full and unasked-for disclosure, my results from Spark.com's Sex Test: I am 52% sexy. God only knows what that means. I choose to think that more than half is a good thing. I am destined to have twenty-five more sex partners (that's more mind you, in addition to those I've already notched on my proverbial bedpost) in my life. I don't know whether to be thrilled or terrified. The info on my 25 future sex partner(s): 0 of them will be female 25 of them will be male And I will actually love 1 of them! Also, I think about sex considerably more than I do it. (Yeah, I think I read that in DUH magazine...) What I get from this is that I'll have to/get to have 25 more tawdry, emotionless affairs (the mind boggles, truly. How will I even find 25 more men? I'm already done with college, for chrissakes. If I don't get to love them, can I at least like them a lot?) before I find my one true wuv, with whom I will be utterly monagamous for the rest of my life. This either means I get very busy in the next couple of years, or settle down in my mid-sixties. Speaking of sex, I got an unsolicited backrub today. Yowza. Thank you Jeebus for touchy-feely actors. Cute, too! posted by Ginger | 12:09 AM |
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