Barking Mad Jesus Freak Triumphs

This is either one of the worst films in Hollywood history, or one of the greatest films in the history of man. Gibson has created the most pathological work of art I have ever seen. He is far sicker, and vastly more talented than I had ever imagined. This film is luminescent. It's breathtaking. As a filmmaker I am more envious of this achievement than any movie I've seen in a decade. After Gibson's last filmic abomination (the "Passion" snuff flick) I swore eternal enmity for the sleazebag mel and his heretofore mediocre (when not outright revolting) work, but Apocalypto is a visceral work of undeniable genius which proves that some of the most disgusting humans are capable of creating the most transcendent art. I hate to admit this, but I love this film. Directed by anyone else, it would have garnered more Oscars than Titanic. It makes Titanic feel like an after school special. You never thought you would hear me say it: purchase a copy of Mel's latest film - today.

When Do I Start Worrying About The Bees?

Did you know that American honey bees are inexplicably dying at an alarming rate? Uh, hello, we need those bees.

Notes From Austria

My friend Alex is in town from Salzburg. We sit for hours discussing language. How does one say "campy", "hoaky", "tacky", "henpecked", in Deutsch etc. Words are so connotative. I ponder how nuances survive translation. So Alex and I sit here with his Langenscheidt Universal-Woerterbuch Amerikanisches Englisch, thumbing it incessantanly (or "blaettern" - the equivalent of a good thumbing). We all remember our vocab's superlatives: longest, most amount of "i"s, most consonants. Longest are interesting. Alex noted that scientific/medical words don't count ("spectrophotofluorometrically"). Here's a real gem in Deutsch: donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatent. The literal translation is "Danube steamship company captain license". There are actually a handful of people who are required to obtain a donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatenbt. Supercalifragilistic... doesn't count. Here's a tounguetwister ("zungenbrecher"): Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid. Say it three times fast. Translation: "blue herb stays blue herb and wedding dress stays wedding dress" I think it's probably funnier in English. But much tougher to say in Deutsch. Anyone out there know any goodies? Share them with the undersigned. And visit the site of Alex's bar in Salzburg, 2-Stein. Oh!, and has anyone ever watched The Sound of Music with an Austrian? It's rather enlightening.

Old Culture New To Me

I've heard of it - I could get crossword answers related to it - prolly because of my general familiarity with hollyweird and pop culture, but I never watched it - until last week. It has a fresh comedic tone. Zach is kinda annoying sometimes, but I think I like this show Scrubs. I know, I'm always way behind the culture curve. I've only seen a few episodes, but I'm going to watch more. If you haven't seen Scrubs, tune in to an episode and tell me what you think. It's mildly entertaining.

If You Can Make It In Mahmoudiya

BAGHDAD - Seven U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi army interpreter came under attack Saturday morning during a patrol near Mahmoudiya, leaving five dead and three missing. Why are Mahmoudiyans so violent? Oh wait... that name rings a bell. Mahmoudiya, where five U.S. soldiers were charged in the rape of a 14-year-old Mahmoudiya girl and the killing of her and her entire family (three American soldiers have already plead guilty)... which was initially blamed on (say it with me) insurgents. "They hate us for our freedom"? They hate us because we invaded their country, slaughtered 100,000 civilians, and raped and butchered their wives and daughters. I support the citizens of Mahmoudiya in their efforts to end the U.S. war crimes of aggression and occupation. Power to the people of Mahmoudiya!

Calling All Republicans!

For me it's like watching beings from another planet. So help me out here. Which one of these presidential candidates is your favorite, and why?