Captain Hillary Renault

Senator Clinton has managed to slip even further down my list with this story - my knee jerk reaction after reading this bit?

"Sen. Clinton, who complained about corporate America's largesse and skyrocketing executive pay during campaign events Wednesday, said she did not believe her message was undermined by her acceptance of the private [jet] flights."

"I'm shocked, shocked, to discover gambling in this establishment." And after this bit?

"'Those were the rules. You'll have to ask somebody else whether that's good policy,' she said."

Sweet baby Jesus - does the woman have no moral center that operates with independence from outside rules or forces which might be brought to bear to control her actions?

I know, it should be about policy, but....

I found this brief Salon article on Obama interesting - in part because its working theory would explain a whole lot of his appeal to me - particularly these two notions:

"In political terms, this campaign will test whether the Democratic voters will pick a nominee who waxes cool while his major rivals (certainly John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, by marriage and learned experience) burn hot."

"So here is a working theory, subject to many modifications as the campaign unfolds: Barack Obama is simultaneously both aware of the power of cheap rhetoric and easy emotion -- and intellectually contemptuous of it. He is a candidate in quiet rebellion against the banalities that too often govern political discourse."

I like people who wax cool - even more particularly do I like of the coolness in positions of authority. For example, I loathe emotional preaching in church - which tends to read to me as pandering to the lowest human emotions in order to disguise the fact that the speaker is cowering in the corner, terrified of the human intellect (and, yes, I say this fresh off a viewing of Jesus Camp - which, damn, shows an even more wack sort of fundie church camp than the one I attended in my youth). Hmm - perhaps not surprisingly I also loathe a 'hot' style in politics.

Target Love

I have to say (this is randomly related to this article on Wal-Mart's super cheap prices working against as it tries to move 'up-scale') that I am actively lusting over some of the Isaac Mizrahi for Target dresses. Sadly, I cannot even think of buying them until I've finished moving, but I really really want 2 of them in particular. I want them for Ms. Gooch's exciting house party in Italy one year from now. Yes, it is true - I'm already working on a wardrobe for a house party to take place in June 2008. In fact, I've already bought one signature piece - a huge, packable, red-red-red hat and I'll be planning at least half of my wardrobe around it - and as part of that half, I really want this Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress as one of the ensembles - I saw it in the store - it is super, super cute.

Anyway, it continues to shock me that I *want* clothes from Target. Well done, Target, well done. (Not that I haven't always loved Target, which I have - but for pretty much everything except clothes - but now...)

(As a further aside, I have to confess that I've shopped twice at Wal-Mart as a result of being places where there were literally no other options and I'm still not done feeling guilty over it.)

The Office

Fact: With hard work and diligence, it is possible to watch an entire 22 episode season of The Office in one evening after work.
Fact: The character on The Office whose verbal tics most quickly get embedded in one's brain after a marathon viewing is Dwight.
Question: Was watching an entire 22 episode season of The Office after work on the evening immediately proceeding a planned late night viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean 3 completely idiotic?

Genuine, if slightly obscure, sadness

I was sad to see today that Lloyd Alexander died yesterday. The heavy groundwork for my continuing love for a good sword and sorcery novel is firmly rooted in the works of two authors - C.S. Lewis and Lloyd Alexander. The first time I ever cried over a book? The Castle of Lyr. The second? The High King. I read the Prydain Chronicles too many times to count (I still have my set, so it isn't like the count is stationary at this point either). I had a mad crush on Gwydion, and a keen feeling of sisterhood with Eilonwy. I was introduced for the first time to the Three Witches/Fates who, god bless them, are a running theme in my literary life (and, really, my actual life too, since upon occasion I'm referred to as them - collectively with Ms. Gooch and Ding). I learned to pronounce Welsh for those books. This was of untold benefit during my King Arthur phase, let me tell you. Bedwyr? I can pronounce that. It's true. I can. And I owe Mr. Alexander a debt for that. I have a not entirely fuzzy knowledge of Welsh mythology thanks to the man, as well. And the cauldron born? Terrifying.

Anyway, I'm just sad that the creator of a great deal of joy for me is gone.

P.S. If you are interested in dipping into the Prydain Chronicles, please, I beg of you - read the books - in other words, avoid the vile Disney version of The Black Cauldron like the very plague. Really. Trust me on this. What a travesty. The characters in the Black Cauldron should not be *cute.*

*A* show.

That's right. I'm down to *a* show, now that it has been reported that Veronica Mars got the axe. Granted, the show prolly never would have topped its stellar first season - or ever come up with another scene as brilliant (and disturbing) as that found in "Hot Dogs." Those wacky Echols and their wacky hospitality! (I note that at least Piz wised up and took the job at Pitchfork Media, so he is safe.)

But still, where has all my snappy dialogue gone? Gilmore Girls? Gone. Veronica Mars? Gone. The Mother of all Dialogue Shows, Now and For Fucking Ever, Deadwood? Gone. Firefly? Buffy? Northern Exposure? All long gone. And while I loves me some Battlestar Galactica, it (a) isn't really a dialogue show and, more importantly (b) won't be back until 2008. 2008!

I guess it is the best of all possible times to get rid of my television. And to go ahead and Netflix Wonderfalls, which I've held off watching in case of just such an emergency. Feel free to suggest any others, anyone.

Trying Not to Quote the Joker

Jerry Falwell is dead. In the meanest Let The Punishment Fit The Crime corner of my imagination I keep seeing him heading up to heaven and God schooling him on everything he got fundamentally wrong about love and acceptance during his time here on earth.

And then I get afraid that that is exactly what God will be schooling me on when I die for thinking things like that.

And then I quote Ozymandias quietly to myself - which exercise provides some form of comfort.

Yeah, I can't explain what my mind is doing either - I just report it.

Going Dark

Those who know me know that I'm usually all over any spoilers that I can get my hands on, but I've decided to go Mary on Harry Potter - no more boards, no more articles. As per Ms. Rowling's wishes, I'm going in with nothing but my own theories and knowledge.

And the fervent (but, I fear, futile) prayer that everyone I love makes it through alive.

Brush with Fame

Dudes - I shook John Edwards's hand about 35 minutes ago (our table at the Women Employed luncheon was along his escape route). I can report that (a) he is not as tall as you might expect (approx. 5'9") and (b) he really is that cute.

Back

I'm still too close to the 'Alas, The Trip Is Over' sorrow to detail things like the number of 18 oz mimosas consumed while watching as the large rain down did rain, or compare the many meals of red beans and rice purchased all over town, or recall the delightful musical stylings of The Dixie Cups heard at the equally delightful Rock n' Bowl (or the subsequent brush with complete incompetence at the Burger King), or the deliciously meat-alicious meal at Le Petite Grocery, or the collard greens and sweet potato casserole at Elizabeth's, or the ride on the 'Poo-zho' (Peugeot) scooter.

And, of course, all these events of which I cannot speak pale in comparison to how much I miss the New Orleans Crew (Krewe?) - sigh. I spent the whole weekend in a nearly continuous state of laughter. I miss those guys!

On the plus side, today I have a luncheon to attend at which John Edwards will be speaking. I look forward to hearing what he has to say.

Pretty, pretty

Churchgal is busy examining the female gaze - if you are looking to spend a pleasant few moments engaging in righteous objectification, I highly recommend heading on over.

GG Update

Yes. I cried. Whatever. And, yes, in the interests of full disclosure - I cried twice. (Thanks YouTube).

At least there was no shouting at the tv this week - progress? You be the judge.

Training Day

I have just signed up for this triathlon in Federal Way this fall - anyone else want to trek out to the Seattle area and run it with me?