Below is a video from Newsweek where staff who have never watched Lost watch some clips and see if they can make sense of the show.
I started watching the show when it first started, and halfway through the third episode I got bored. My friends tell me it's gotten real badass lately, but I just don't have the will to watch seasons of episodes in order to get to the good part.
As a consolation prize, I enjoy the video below.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Such Hate, Internets
As you may have noticed I've been busy here at Quarter Century. I've changed the colors and design a bit. I've started posting again and whatnot. Tonight I went through and labeled all of my previous posts for your perusing pleasure.
That's how I found this.
It's a ridiculous movie review I wrote on a ridiculous movie a long time ago.
It's also the reasoning behind me requiring registration for comments.
Not because I mind the criticism; I have to take it on a daily basis, in fact, No, it's because if someone is going to try to slay me in such a public manner, then I require that person to name him or herself.
I find that one detriment to the vast anonymity of the Internets is that people can get away with anything. Usually, as I've seen on many news sites, for example, what should be spirited, intelligent discussion devolves into name calling and hate speech.
So that explains my requirement for names behind the comments.
And I stand by my response to that poster. Yes, I believe it's the work of One person, or, at the very least, a couple of posters driven to this site for that very purpose by aforementioned One person.
Maybe someday I'll write a post explaining why this came to be, but for now you'll just have to trust me.
That's how I found this.
It's a ridiculous movie review I wrote on a ridiculous movie a long time ago.
It's also the reasoning behind me requiring registration for comments.
Not because I mind the criticism; I have to take it on a daily basis, in fact, No, it's because if someone is going to try to slay me in such a public manner, then I require that person to name him or herself.
I find that one detriment to the vast anonymity of the Internets is that people can get away with anything. Usually, as I've seen on many news sites, for example, what should be spirited, intelligent discussion devolves into name calling and hate speech.
So that explains my requirement for names behind the comments.
And I stand by my response to that poster. Yes, I believe it's the work of One person, or, at the very least, a couple of posters driven to this site for that very purpose by aforementioned One person.
Maybe someday I'll write a post explaining why this came to be, but for now you'll just have to trust me.
Single in the City: Up in the Air
Today I went to see Up in the Air. By myself. Remember, Internets, I like to do such things.
The theater was filled with approximately 115 empty seats, 9 people over the age of retirement, and yours truly.
I breezed in at a tight 5 minutes early - the only slightly awkward part about seeing a movie by yourself is sitting in the theater 20 minutes before showtime and blocking the center section of the row because of the weird, American, every-other-seat rule.
You know what I'm talking about.
Every person/couple/group MUST sit with one seat separating them.
Makes it damn tricky for a couple arriving late at a sold out midnight show of Lord of the Rings to find seats together is all I'm saying.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Yes, the audience was filled with the elderly, and yes it made me wonder if my generation undervalues the sex appeal of George Clooney.
For shame, Ladies, for shame.
The movie itself was very well done with only a few weaknesses, not that I'm the expert. But I can see why it's nominated for Best Picture, why Clooney, Farmiga, and Kendrick are nominated for acting, and why the film is NOT nominated for editing. Learn more about that here, but even I noticed a few odd choices in cuts...again, I'm not the expert.
I have to say though, my very favorite part of the movie was Sam Elliott. Because who better to be the metaphor for the culmintation of all that Clooney's character hoped and dreamed than the very man who gave The Dude his Zen back?
"Sometimes the bar, well, he eats you."
Exactly, Stranger, exactly.
But will the granny in row four please stop sighing so loudly and take her geritol already?
The theater was filled with approximately 115 empty seats, 9 people over the age of retirement, and yours truly.
I breezed in at a tight 5 minutes early - the only slightly awkward part about seeing a movie by yourself is sitting in the theater 20 minutes before showtime and blocking the center section of the row because of the weird, American, every-other-seat rule.
You know what I'm talking about.
Every person/couple/group MUST sit with one seat separating them.
Makes it damn tricky for a couple arriving late at a sold out midnight show of Lord of the Rings to find seats together is all I'm saying.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Yes, the audience was filled with the elderly, and yes it made me wonder if my generation undervalues the sex appeal of George Clooney.
For shame, Ladies, for shame.
The movie itself was very well done with only a few weaknesses, not that I'm the expert. But I can see why it's nominated for Best Picture, why Clooney, Farmiga, and Kendrick are nominated for acting, and why the film is NOT nominated for editing. Learn more about that here, but even I noticed a few odd choices in cuts...again, I'm not the expert.
I have to say though, my very favorite part of the movie was Sam Elliott. Because who better to be the metaphor for the culmintation of all that Clooney's character hoped and dreamed than the very man who gave The Dude his Zen back?
"Sometimes the bar, well, he eats you."
Exactly, Stranger, exactly.
But will the granny in row four please stop sighing so loudly and take her geritol already?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Happy Hour Haiku
Sweet potato fries
Rehorst G&T is dope
I am Jenga Queen.
Bayview is my name
Cheap microbrews is my game
Parking is a b*tch
Centraal and Lulu
Sugar Maple, Highbury
Burnhearts and The Palm
Rehorst G&T is dope
I am Jenga Queen.
Bayview is my name
Cheap microbrews is my game
Parking is a b*tch
Centraal and Lulu
Sugar Maple, Highbury
Burnhearts and The Palm
Friday, January 29, 2010
Single in the City: Restaurant Wars II
You may remember from a previous post that I occasionally enjoy entertainment and dining options by myself.
This is not weird, small-minded Americans, this is modern and forward-thinking with a certain European sophistication.
Now that we have that settled, let's get to the second review in the series: The Chancery in Wauwatosa.
Establishment: The Chancery
Known Aliases: Cancer's, Chaucer's
Location: Wauwatosa, WI
Anyone who's been to Chancery can tell you that they have plenty of seating available with innumerable nooks and crannies in which a single diner can hide. However, when I went there for lunch the other day (okay, it was, like, months ago...this review is a long time coming), I was placed smack dab in the middle of the Monopoly room. You know which one I'm talking about. There's a 3 ft. x 3 ft. framed print of Park Place, and currency from around the world featured on the walls.
The Staff:
The hostess was sweet, never hinting that she may have thought it odd for me to eat lunch by myself during peak dining time.
The waiter was friendly, though not overtly so. I took it to mean he assumed he would not be getting as high a tip from a single diner as he no doubt would from a table of four for the same amount of effort. However, surely not so much thought was put into the attitude. Likely it was just a long day for him.
The Atmosphere:
While the staff was friendly, the other diners were decidedly less so. Approximately 10 minutes after I was seated (after beverage, before order), a table of Ladies Who Lunch were seated directly next to me.
At first I thought nothing of it.
After all, people are seated next to you in a restaurant all the time. However, those neighbor diners usually refrain from loudly discussing you in your close presence.
The suburban housewives with no lives (rhyme unintentional, though appropriate) could not help themselves from commenting on my single status situation. Not to me or with me, no. Rather, they discussed how sad they found it when they observed others dining alone in a restaurant. No way, they said, would they be able to do the same. They would feel far too awkward.
This went on at a decibel level loud enough to be certain that I would overhear.
Rather than confront the elephant head on - because who likes confrontation - I took to Twittering the situation in an effort that public venting would leave me feeling somewhat calmer.
Final Score: C+
But only because the Bored Bimbos made me rush through my lunch and rush out the door.
This is not weird, small-minded Americans, this is modern and forward-thinking with a certain European sophistication.
Now that we have that settled, let's get to the second review in the series: The Chancery in Wauwatosa.
Establishment: The Chancery
Known Aliases: Cancer's, Chaucer's
Location: Wauwatosa, WI
Anyone who's been to Chancery can tell you that they have plenty of seating available with innumerable nooks and crannies in which a single diner can hide. However, when I went there for lunch the other day (okay, it was, like, months ago...this review is a long time coming), I was placed smack dab in the middle of the Monopoly room. You know which one I'm talking about. There's a 3 ft. x 3 ft. framed print of Park Place, and currency from around the world featured on the walls.
The Staff:
The hostess was sweet, never hinting that she may have thought it odd for me to eat lunch by myself during peak dining time.
The waiter was friendly, though not overtly so. I took it to mean he assumed he would not be getting as high a tip from a single diner as he no doubt would from a table of four for the same amount of effort. However, surely not so much thought was put into the attitude. Likely it was just a long day for him.
The Atmosphere:
While the staff was friendly, the other diners were decidedly less so. Approximately 10 minutes after I was seated (after beverage, before order), a table of Ladies Who Lunch were seated directly next to me.
At first I thought nothing of it.
After all, people are seated next to you in a restaurant all the time. However, those neighbor diners usually refrain from loudly discussing you in your close presence.
The suburban housewives with no lives (rhyme unintentional, though appropriate) could not help themselves from commenting on my single status situation. Not to me or with me, no. Rather, they discussed how sad they found it when they observed others dining alone in a restaurant. No way, they said, would they be able to do the same. They would feel far too awkward.
This went on at a decibel level loud enough to be certain that I would overhear.
Rather than confront the elephant head on - because who likes confrontation - I took to Twittering the situation in an effort that public venting would leave me feeling somewhat calmer.
Final Score: C+
But only because the Bored Bimbos made me rush through my lunch and rush out the door.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
If Only I Made New Year's Resolutions
If only I made New Year's resolutions...
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include more frequent posting on my blog.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include thinking of my blog's readers and their feelings and how they'd like a new post once in awhile.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include having a more interesting life.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include having a more interesting life so that I would have something to post once in awhile.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include thinking that what happens in my life is interesting enough to warrant a blog post.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include actually making New Year's resolutions so that they could include all of the above.
If only I made New Year's resolutions.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include more frequent posting on my blog.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include thinking of my blog's readers and their feelings and how they'd like a new post once in awhile.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include having a more interesting life.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include having a more interesting life so that I would have something to post once in awhile.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include thinking that what happens in my life is interesting enough to warrant a blog post.
I suppose my New Year's resolutions would include actually making New Year's resolutions so that they could include all of the above.
If only I made New Year's resolutions.
Friday, December 11, 2009
5 Ways the Internet Enrages Me
Lately, the makers of popular websites have felt the need to control me and my Internet usage. Subsequently, I've been feeling a somewhat irrational level of rage that will soon push me to abandon these sites that practice the following annoying tactics:
1. Facebook Privacy Notice
Facebook, I will view your privacy changes when I am darn good and ready to and not a moment sooner. If you continue to preempt my regular usage of your site and force me to read things I don't want to read, and make me use functionality of your site I don't care to explore at this present moment, then I will take my patronage elsewhere. Pass the word along to your advertisers.
2. MSN Automatic Bing Searches
I've added the Google toolbar to my Firefox Internet browser. I like Google. I trust their search results. I occasionally enjoy their "I'm Feeling Lucky" function for a good laugh, not to mention Google Scholar, which is a graduate student's lifeline. In other words, Google is my search engine of choice. Except, of course, when I visit MSN.com and try to start a search in my Google Toolbar.
See above.
When I started typing "Searching Bing" the MSN.com site somehow preempts my Google search and enters the text into the Bing search bar. In this manner, only "Searc" ends up in my Google search bar while "hing Bing" winds up in the Bing search bar. I hate this. I hate this a lot. You see, I don't want to search Bing. I don't want to be made to search Bing. In fact, I don't think I want MSN.com to be my homepage anymore.
3. Green Bay Press Gazette webpage ads
I admit it. I'm originally from Green Bay. As such, I enjoy checking out the local news every day, and so I go to the Green Bay Press Gazette's website. However, a new ad feature they've installed at the top of their homepage is beginning to annoy the crap out of me. You see, when I navigate to the homepage, I immediately scroll down to read the headlines. However, as the page is still taking it's sweet time loading, 9 times out of 10, the ad at the top of the page begins expanding, pushing down all of the content below it as I'm trying to read it. You can imagine how impossible it is to read text on a website when it is constantly moving and reloading. In case some of you have missed my recent announcement, any ad that interrupts my attempts to read web content will ensure that I will never purchase that advertised product.
4. Autoplay Videos
The time for excuses is over, Internets. Any producer and/or web designer worth his or her salt will know how to install a video to "Autoplay: false." The fact that you don't do so tells me you do not value my time or independent decision-making faculties. Not to mention the fact that the ancient PC in my office repeatedly gets an Internet Explorer error on video streaming, and, thereofore, autoplay videos mean that I cannot view your website beyond initial loading. Therefore, I have little value for your website and/or product.
5. Being told what to do*
Ultimately, the result of the previous four items is to tell me what to do. I don't appreciate this. I am an educated adult, and I am a savvy web user. I do not need anyone telling me what to do with my Internet usage, especially companies who do so in the name of profit.
*Number 5 is really a conclusion that can be drawn from numbers 1-4, however, a list of 5 sounds much better than a list of 4, don't you think? Ergo, I elucidated.
1. Facebook Privacy Notice
Facebook, I will view your privacy changes when I am darn good and ready to and not a moment sooner. If you continue to preempt my regular usage of your site and force me to read things I don't want to read, and make me use functionality of your site I don't care to explore at this present moment, then I will take my patronage elsewhere. Pass the word along to your advertisers.
2. MSN Automatic Bing Searches
I've added the Google toolbar to my Firefox Internet browser. I like Google. I trust their search results. I occasionally enjoy their "I'm Feeling Lucky" function for a good laugh, not to mention Google Scholar, which is a graduate student's lifeline. In other words, Google is my search engine of choice. Except, of course, when I visit MSN.com and try to start a search in my Google Toolbar.
See above.
When I started typing "Searching Bing" the MSN.com site somehow preempts my Google search and enters the text into the Bing search bar. In this manner, only "Searc" ends up in my Google search bar while "hing Bing" winds up in the Bing search bar. I hate this. I hate this a lot. You see, I don't want to search Bing. I don't want to be made to search Bing. In fact, I don't think I want MSN.com to be my homepage anymore.
3. Green Bay Press Gazette webpage ads
I admit it. I'm originally from Green Bay. As such, I enjoy checking out the local news every day, and so I go to the Green Bay Press Gazette's website. However, a new ad feature they've installed at the top of their homepage is beginning to annoy the crap out of me. You see, when I navigate to the homepage, I immediately scroll down to read the headlines. However, as the page is still taking it's sweet time loading, 9 times out of 10, the ad at the top of the page begins expanding, pushing down all of the content below it as I'm trying to read it. You can imagine how impossible it is to read text on a website when it is constantly moving and reloading. In case some of you have missed my recent announcement, any ad that interrupts my attempts to read web content will ensure that I will never purchase that advertised product.
4. Autoplay Videos
The time for excuses is over, Internets. Any producer and/or web designer worth his or her salt will know how to install a video to "Autoplay: false." The fact that you don't do so tells me you do not value my time or independent decision-making faculties. Not to mention the fact that the ancient PC in my office repeatedly gets an Internet Explorer error on video streaming, and, thereofore, autoplay videos mean that I cannot view your website beyond initial loading. Therefore, I have little value for your website and/or product.
5. Being told what to do*
Ultimately, the result of the previous four items is to tell me what to do. I don't appreciate this. I am an educated adult, and I am a savvy web user. I do not need anyone telling me what to do with my Internet usage, especially companies who do so in the name of profit.
*Number 5 is really a conclusion that can be drawn from numbers 1-4, however, a list of 5 sounds much better than a list of 4, don't you think? Ergo, I elucidated.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Milwaukee's 99.1 Made my Night
Thank you 99.1 for including a session of call-in requests at 10:00 PM for my drive home. The following is a delicious exerpt of that portion of your broadcast that had me laughing aloud.
Host: Who's on your mind tonight?
Caller: My ex-fiance
Host: Oh, your "ex?" I'm sorry.
Caller: Yeah, we were together for seven years.
Host: Did she give you the boot?
Caller: Yeah. She wanted to explore more options and have more experiences.
Host: Wow, you were together for a long time. How old are you?
Caller: I'm 23. She's 21.
Host: Oh......so you were together seven years?
Caller: Yeah.
Me: (Furiously doing math in my head) That's statutory rape!
Host: (crickets chirping)
Caller: (breathing)
Host: Well, I'm gonna play a song for you and I hope it makes you feel better.
Caller: Thank you.
The Song:
Host: Who's on your mind tonight?
Caller: My ex-fiance
Host: Oh, your "ex?" I'm sorry.
Caller: Yeah, we were together for seven years.
Host: Did she give you the boot?
Caller: Yeah. She wanted to explore more options and have more experiences.
Host: Wow, you were together for a long time. How old are you?
Caller: I'm 23. She's 21.
Host: Oh......so you were together seven years?
Caller: Yeah.
Me: (Furiously doing math in my head) That's statutory rape!
Host: (crickets chirping)
Caller: (breathing)
Host: Well, I'm gonna play a song for you and I hope it makes you feel better.
Caller: Thank you.
The Song:
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Single in the City: Restaurant Wars
Lately I've been enjoying Milwaukee's dining options solo. I got into the habit when I lived in Hungary, and, upon returning to the U.S., it seemed reasonable to try out new restaurants on my own.
Hey, I'm single and I can't always wait around for my friends to be free for dinner.
That said, it's quite disconcerting just how NOT normal it is in American society for people to eat alone. Try it sometime. And pay attention to the hostess's face when you tell her you are not, in fact, waiting for someone but will be needing a table for one.
Once again, that said, I've decided on a new blog feature entitled "Single in the City" where I take on the land of coupledom and grouptainment to see how establishments make the grade for us single folks. Points for friendliness of staff and lack of weird factor.
First up: Rock Bottom Brewery
The hostess at Rock Bottom Brewery greeted me with a smile for my solo lunch. Never asking if I was waiting for anyone, she simply asked if I would like a table in the bar or in the dining area. I chose the latter.
Once seated, the waiter took my order, only blinking an eye when I ordered a beer in the afternoon on a weekday and not when I sat alone in the booth for 2 hours.
While the restaurant was a bit empty, the staff never once made me feel awkward or inadequate for enjoying my dining experience solo. I did get some work done, so I didn't come in unarmed this time. However, my waiter was very attentive, yet not so much so that it made it seem he was trying to make up for my lack of company. If you've every dined out alone, you know what I mean.
Final Score: Gold Star
The staff at Rock Bottom were friendly and just the right amount of attentive. They didn't try to rush me out of the restaurant out of empathetic embarrassment or a desire to fill the table with more profitable group. Even more, the other customers did not seem uncomfortable with my lone status, in fact, they didn't even seem to notice.
Tune in for my next installment when I recount my experience at Chancery in Wauwatosa, and the suburban housewives seated at the next table who talked about me and my poor, single state the entire time I ate.
Hey, I'm single and I can't always wait around for my friends to be free for dinner.
That said, it's quite disconcerting just how NOT normal it is in American society for people to eat alone. Try it sometime. And pay attention to the hostess's face when you tell her you are not, in fact, waiting for someone but will be needing a table for one.
Once again, that said, I've decided on a new blog feature entitled "Single in the City" where I take on the land of coupledom and grouptainment to see how establishments make the grade for us single folks. Points for friendliness of staff and lack of weird factor.
First up: Rock Bottom Brewery
The hostess at Rock Bottom Brewery greeted me with a smile for my solo lunch. Never asking if I was waiting for anyone, she simply asked if I would like a table in the bar or in the dining area. I chose the latter.
Once seated, the waiter took my order, only blinking an eye when I ordered a beer in the afternoon on a weekday and not when I sat alone in the booth for 2 hours.
While the restaurant was a bit empty, the staff never once made me feel awkward or inadequate for enjoying my dining experience solo. I did get some work done, so I didn't come in unarmed this time. However, my waiter was very attentive, yet not so much so that it made it seem he was trying to make up for my lack of company. If you've every dined out alone, you know what I mean.
Final Score: Gold Star
The staff at Rock Bottom were friendly and just the right amount of attentive. They didn't try to rush me out of the restaurant out of empathetic embarrassment or a desire to fill the table with more profitable group. Even more, the other customers did not seem uncomfortable with my lone status, in fact, they didn't even seem to notice.
Tune in for my next installment when I recount my experience at Chancery in Wauwatosa, and the suburban housewives seated at the next table who talked about me and my poor, single state the entire time I ate.
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