Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Website Wednesday

Before I post my fun, frivolous but entertaining (do you need frivolous to describe entertainment, I wonder?), I'll take care of some business.

We are plowed out; that is the driveway and sidewalk were done late Monday night. Based on my meager science/physics knowledge, I measured the snow on the deck Monday morning and got 9" above the bottom door frame. Yesterday morning, the height was 1". Now, we had no post blizzard winds in this part of NJ (central NJ did) so should I assume the snow melted 8"???? I told you that science was not my forte.

And still on the blizzard: NJ is still without our Gov and Lt Gov. The former is on vacation in Disneyland and won't return until Thursday and the latter is in Mexico; for what, I have no idea. There has been a lot of criticism of this fact and while I agree with it, I'd like to make two points which I think are valid w/o partisan politics.

1. Last year, NJ voted in its first Lt Gov to serve when the Gov can not - for any reason. Why were both out of state at the same time? And, wasn't a blizzard a big enough event for at least one to return? I know, I know, I've heard the argument that with electronic technology today you can govern from a shoebox, but folks, this is politics. During a blizzard, why do the Gov and the Lt Gov (both Republicans) decide to give photo ops to the Acting Gov (NJ Senate President) who is a Dem?

2. And this point is totally without politics; think about a big corporation facing a crisis. Let's take the poisoning of Tylenol which has been in the press again lately. Everyone agrees that the potential fatal sales blow to J & J (the manufacturer) was averted because CEO James Burke took immediate responsibility for and control of the situation. (In fact, his response is still taught in business crisis management courses.) What I don't understand is why our Gov and Lt Gov (you can look at them as CEO and Vice-CEO) don't want to be here in NJ in control of this crisis? Granted that in 1982, Burke couldn't govern from afar but the TV technology hasn't changed that much since then and Burke was in front of the camera at every possible moment; everyone knew he was in charge. Running a state is not only kissing babies.

And on to my website pick:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/

Keeping with the holiday session, this is another entertaining site. It says about itself:

We feature the kind of things you’d want to pass along to your friends: an outrageous video that’s about to go viral, an obscure subculture breaking into the mainstream, a juicy bit of gossip that everyone at the office will be talking about tomorrow, or an ordinary guy having his glorious 15-minutes of fame. And when you read BuzzFeed, you’ll always know the movies, music, and products that are on the rise and worth your time.

You can join the fun by reading the latest at BuzzFeed.com, subscribing via RSS or email, adding the BuzzFeed widget to your site, and contribute by posting your own images, videos, links and comments. Be sure to sign up for a BuzzFeed account and stay tuned for more features coming soon.

So, you could say, that by reading this site you will be ahead of the cutting edge and you'll be able to cavalierly answer: Have you seen..........? With: Oh, that, it's sooooo old shoe.

Right now, you can watch dogs eat vegetables or click Categories for more stuff. Movies range from 12 things you don't know about Edward Scissorhand to a re-cut trailer for The Santa Clause (Pedophile Version), which is much more PG-13 than it sounds. Click Style for Winter Hats for the Obscene (in words, that is) and they are both real hats and they're sold out.

Take a look at BuzzFeed. It's a fast and easy read. Just right for a busy season. But remember, it's adult. Enjoy!

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Movie Monday

In NJ, we had a blizzard yesterday. I figure that the deck has at least 12 inches and the news is reporting this part of the state got 17 inches. Kids are squealing with joy throughout the state looking at all this whiteness; parents, not so much.

Today may be Movie Monday but it's also newsletter prep week so I'll make this short. Well, short by my standards.

I tried to knit my Lace Advent Scarf as much as possible this weekend and I got a lot done while watching Good Hair, a documentary produced and narrated by Chris Rock. It was about a slightly foreign subject to me: black hair and black hair treatment. Now, it's only slightly foreign to me since I, as millions of women, work on tweaking hair styles almost everyday of our lives.

What set this documentary apart is that it made some excellent social and economic points but, unlike the biting Michael Moore documentaries, I didn't walk away from it thinking: I'm so drained. The world's a bitch. I need a strong drink.

Rock anchored this documentary around a yearly black hair extravaganza, the Bronner Brothers Hair Show in GA. It's a extravaganza because this black hair products convention culminates in a stylists' competition which has one stylist cut hair upside down; another, underwater; and the winner producing a Don King boxing ring event with an entourage of over 70 people though the rules stated you could only have 10 people on "stage" with you. (How did he do it and how was it allowed? By having only 10 people in the "fight ring" and the others on the floor as spectators.)

Adding interest to this Miss America-type blow-out; Rock explores: the expense of black hair styles for black women both in initial cost and regular maintenance; how hair weaving is done; the social importance of the black hair establishments; the chemical dangers in hair products; the travel route of black wig hair (Hint: watch the shaving ceremonies in India); the fact that almost all black hair products sold today are owned by "white" corporations (this wasn't always the case); and, last but not least, how do black parents prepare their children for the superficiality and commercialism they will encounter in the black beauty world (girls younger than three were shown getting hair perms.)

Good Hair is now available on Starz/Encore or at Amazon. Oh, and my husband told me to say that he even found it interesting.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Website Wednesday

Just a few random observations before I get to my pick:

1. Just watched A Few Good Men, again, and I think Cruise is shorter than Nicholson. In the final courtroom scene, they are standing face to fact and I think Nicholson has at least one (if not more) inch on Cruise. And, I still think Cruise is a good actor. As I've said, I like to separate personal belief with onscreen performance, therefore I don't watch Heston because of his NRA stance but because he's always playing Moses.

2. I don't have much of the holiday spirit this year. Oh, I know, it's not my holiday but I think when you mingle in the malls during this time of year, everyone seems artificially high on good will. You don't get that online and that's where I've spent most of my time, and money, this season.

3. If it turns out that Uncle Willy is going to be released from rehab by Christmas Eve, for a last minute present, grab some bulky yarn and large needles and make a knitted top-down 2x2 rib hat. There are a lot of free patterns on the web. OK, here's a quick one:
CO 6 and join (Easiest way: Ch 4 and make ring. Work 6 half-double crochets in ring. Take your DP needles and put one through the stitch on hook and then PU 5 more stitches from the chains and put them on 3 DPNs.
Mark beginning of round and work:
R 1: *Kfb*
R 2 and EOR: K
R: 3 *K1, K1fb* around
R 5: *K2, K1FB* around
R 7: *K3, K1FB*
You see the pattern? Inc. one more K stitch before the K1FB on EOR until you get to the head width (average man and woman about 72 sts with US9 on DK yarn.) Then just *K2, P2* every round. You can make it as long as you like because the ribbing folds up. That's it. Uncle Willy will thank you.

And now a fun, "Ask the Wizard" type website:

http://www.chacha.com/

Here's from their About:
ChaCha is like having a smart friend you can call or text for answers on your cell phone anytime for free! ChaCha works with virtually every provider and allows people with any mobile phone device - from basic flip phones to advanced smart phones - to ask any question in conversational English and receive an accurate answer as a text message in just a few minutes.

So you can interact with ChaCha or.... you can just enjoy reading answers already posted.

Right now, people are discussing the winter solstice and you can read the answers and also read a few short paragraphs on just what it's all about.

Click on Greek Mythology and you'll learn the names of the 12 Olympians and whether there will be a sixth book in the series about Percy Jackson and the Olympians (there will.) Plus there's a neat video re: the 12 Olympians which looks quite accurate.

But instead of me wandering this site, why don't you? I know you'll find many things to catch your interest. Maybe there's even a question you would like answered. Don't forget to bookmark this site, you'll want to go back.

Which reminds me: A cashier at Trader Joes and I were discussing what that expression "Happy as a clam" means. Now there's a question for ChaCha.

Happy holidays to all.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Musings on Movie Monday

I think it was Krugman's column in the NYT this morning, "When Zombies Win", that decided me on musings with only a tiny touch of movies today.

Krugman's column discusses that known failed economic ideas (trickle down economics, etc) have unbelievably made a resurgence throughout the world; this time unfortunately in zombie form and you know how tough those buggers are to kill.

I know I still have raw nerves from The Road whose vision of the future may be coming so much closer. Sort of like the warning on your side view car mirrors: Objects may be closer than they appear.

Last night, our NJ Gov appeared on 60 Minutes (didn't watch) and said: The day of reckoning has arrived....I mean, listen, the bottom line is I don't have the money.

Well, the rich sure do. But neither the NJ state government nor US federal government has the balls to tax them. Instead they sell a myth to a stupid, naive, gullible, really, really stupid large portion of the US voting public that if you let the rich keep all their money they will create jobs for you. You know, just like feudalism. But they leave out that last line.

Then last Friday, I had two conversations; one with a Chinese woman who had just returned from visiting her former home in China and one with an Indian woman who had made the same trip but to India.

Both were astounded by the wealth they found in their countries. In China, I was told there are roads everywhere, one family lived in 5 floor house (her emphasis on only one family.) Cars were everywhere. And she corrected my misconception; she lived in a village, not a city. Ditto from the Indian woman. The wealth and spending was unbelievable in her town in southern India. She said they'll spent $10,000 on a TV and think nothing of it.

Anecdotal stories, I know, should not be used to formulate theories but this was the first time I heard first-hand of the wealth of China and India. I would have had to be living under a rock not to notice the economic ascendancy of both countries but here were personal stories from people seeing the changes and they are tremendous.

So now, let me pose this question: If you were a rich capitalist in the USA and you had all this money (because the US government obviously doesn't want it) where would you invest?

There's a dirty little secret about not taxing the rich: Private money always travels to the best profits. Jobs, benefits, and pensions in the US really don't fit that bill. It's not just US purchases of foreign goods which is adding to riches for China and India; it's also US private investments in these soon-to-be world's economic powerhouses.

Wake up, America. 98% of you will never be super-rich or even rich. Don't think that tax breaks for the rich will give you a better chance of one day joining them. You won't. The rich will just have you chasing your tail. And you know where that gets the dog.

This is a lie:....the bottom line is I don't have the money. Our government has money sources; it just seems to like the way the rich live by keeping all their money. We, as citizens, really have a two-part job: Get the government to tax the rich. Then take a part in our government to see that these tax monies are spent well.

Wake up, America or we're all going to have a bleak road ahead.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Knitting Friday

Oh, I am such a liar! Didn't I promise knitting pictures last Friday? Wait, did I even have Knitting Friday then? Perhaps my lie extends back to two weeks ago. The horror!

Anyway, I do have pics to take; just haven't taken them. But I will. I think I get to all my promises eventually; though I could be lying about that also.

I'm hoping that anyone reading today will go over to:

http://www.von-stroh-zu-gold.de/muster/?p=40

for the bestest knitting holiday present you'll be getting this year, a Lace Advent Scarf. (The pattern is also on Ravelry.)

Kristen Benecken from Germany is posting a different lace pattern for the days of Advent. I think we're up to Day 17 today. This is such a generous gift and it's not religious in any sense - except the name.

I'm only up to Day 4 because I tend to knit lace very, very slowly . Even with lifelines every ten rows, we're talking about tinking almost 1000 stitches since, as anyone who has worked lace knows, dropped stitches just seem to disappear.

A couple of suggestions:
1. Use the charts, they are perfect. The written section is being translated from German and pattern writing is difficult enough without this. There have been some written mistakes but I think they've been corrected. Even so, use the charts. The are very well-written.

2. Each day has a different lace pattern and it can have different stitch count (all in the 80s.) You use the spacer sections between patterns to tweak the stitch count up or down for the next lace pattern. Easy to do if you watch for the count change.

3. You can use any spacer section you want. The one presented has 7 rows of garter with one row of lace on 86 sts. You could use seed stitch. You could eliminate the simple lace row. Just remember, you may be changing the stitch count on the first spacer section row and then again on last spacer section row to fit the stitches from the previous day's lace to the next day's lace so be sure your increase and decrease stitches in the spacer section don't glare.

4. On all lace rows, take a long piece of yarn and lay it across the row between the pattern repeats. Tedious and slow perhaps, but you know if your count is correct immediately. Oh, and be sure to count the beg and end of the rows (you know the parts before and after the *........*) If you miss a YO or K2tog here, you can be royally screwed.

5. Be sure to print out the patterns as you go along. I don't know how long this pattern will be up and if you get behind (as I am on Day 4) you may be disappointed.

6. Be creative. You don't have to use every pattern nor work then in any established order.

7. I'm using stash yarn for this which I pull out for Mystery knitting events (I have no idea why.) I think it's pretty old since it's 40% wool and I have no idea how this "gift" of over 30 skeins ever dropped on me. I did learn during my last Mystery knitting event that 40% wool splices. (Want to talk about what a dummy I am? I started that project without a clue as to whether the yarn would splice!) I'm using US 8 needles and the wool calls itself "fingering" but I think this yarn comes from the time when "men were men" and fingering weight was closer to sport.

Do try this scarf. My version is coming out so soft and lovely; I'm sure yours will also.

OK, I'm off to buy shoe polish. What a purchase during the holiday season! Am I going to shine Santa's boots? Whatever; I need shoe polish. Boots are made for walking in this cold, cold weather (21F) and my boots need a polish.

Happy knitting.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Website Wednesday

I've been thinking a lot lately (as if there are periods of time when I don't think a lot.) But I've been thinking the big questions like: Why are so, so many Americans so stupid? or: Is this whole idea of looking beyond surface beauty for the true worth of an individual crap and humans are really only shallow and silly? or: Is this new, controversial unemployment extensions/tax-cuts for the rich (two issues with absolutely no connecting dots) Obama's holiday gift to Congress?

We know how he loves to make everyone happy (except liberals as he pointedly told the world at a recent press conference, though I don't remember the world asking.) This bill is a Republican gift because it gives them cover when constituents scream: You voted for a unemployment benefits extension!!!! And the Republican Congressperson can simply answer: But we extended the tax cuts for the rich. So there, you putz! (I added the last sentence. No Congressperson would say that to a constituents; unless he/she identified as a liberal because we all know that liberals have fewer rights than bears during a bear hunt.)

This bill is also a Democrat gift because it gives them cover when their constituents scream: You voted to extend the tax cut for the rich!!!!! And the Democrat Congressperson can simply say: But we got an unemployment benefits extension for the unemployed. Of course, we all know this part of the bill can be easily excised in the future while the tax cut part is drying in cement as we speak; but then we also know that you, putzs, have no long-term memory and when we revisit these issues you will probably be engrossed in voting for a new American Idol. (Once again, that last sentence is my jaded stream of consciousness.)

So while I am in this Happy Holiday frame of thinking, let me give you a website pick:

http://www.themysteryworld.com/

Reading the title from the url, its name is the The Mystery World but it goes by the handle World of Mysteries on the website. Whatever.

What can I say about this site? Not much since I can't find an "About." It's current. It's photo and art-filled. It's eclectic in its topic picks. The current page has 18 pictures of Dog Fort animals (many dogs and a few cats) with captions. It's a graphic novel dog action tale, well-worth the read and the laughs. (Disclaimer: I am a sucker for animal pics.)

What follows this posting is astounding. We go from eye candy to a published research paper titled: An evaluation of airport x-ray backscatter unites based on image characteristics by Kaufman and Carlson. Now this is a genuine recently published paper which looks into the effectiveness of airport x-ray scanners. I am really excited that their abstract states that "We implement a Monte Carlo implementation......" because the Monte Carlo method was my husband's Master's thesis! Oh, he is so going to read this paper for me!

And just an aside: they have pictures of whole body scans and I can see your junk.

This article is followed by vintage skate board ads from 1970 - 1990. If you scroll down the right column to "Labels" you'll find a "Post Archives" (sic) clickable button. It looks like this site began in June of 2010 so it's just a baby.

But World of Mysteries definitely deserves an audience. This website exemplifies what the worldwide web is for.

P.S. Just in the time I've been typing this, the home page has been updated. Now, the first article is called the Tree of Life, followed by Every Space Mission for the Last 50 Years on one Map. Third entry is now Dog Forts.

This is obviously a website maintained by an interesting and interested person. Be sure to take a look.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Movie Monday - some oldies

OK, there was no Knitting Friday because, well, I was knitting - and traveling. I've finished my Super Mario pillow and I'm on Day 4 of the Lace Advent Scarf, which is now posting the pattern for Day 13 - do I have to play catch-up fast!

This is going to a be another traveling day and I have to start packing so I'm going to make this short. (Hooray, you say.)

This weekend, I got to see some oldies which I want to recommend:

1. Intolerance by D.W. Griffith
Griffith is the founding father of directors who worked at the beginning of the movie world. We're talking 1916! Griffith is best known for Birth of a Nation and Intolerance was his first movie after that one. It interweaves intolerance throughout the ages starting from ancient times with a modern tale of thwarted love. By today's standards, the acting has its share of ham but the brilliance of Griffith shines through and you can see, this early what future lay ahead for movies. (Of course, this was before the large studios brought creativity in line with profits.) If you're even slightly interested in film, you've got to see Intolerance. It' s available at Amazon or "free" occasionally on TCM.

2. Sweet Smell of Success starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis
You have two old-fashioned stars here in a gritty, NYC drama of the underbelly of a successful newspaper columnist. (Lancaster) It's 1957, when newspapers still ruled. Lancaster is as dirty and ruthless as they come. Aided by his equally sleazy assistant (Curtis), they gather "dirt" on all enemies. And for Lancaster, if you're not with him; you're an enemy. The plot revolves around Lancaster's sister's (to whom he is obsessively devoted) new love and his attempt to quash any romance. It's late noir with stars who made their bones on dreary costume dramas. But playing against type (or rather against the type Hollywood thought profitable for stars), they deliver a gritty drama which still resonates today. While you watch it, remember that the 1950's were the last stand of old Hollywood to retain their power and an decade of lavish costume dramas and drippy romances. This one is so different. (My only complaint is the jazz score. I never like jazz scores and I think they can take down the best movies. Now if they used blues.... that would be a different story.)

3. I attempted Lawrence of Arabia (Peter O'Toole as Lawrence) again yesterday and I still can't get through it. I know, I've read all the hype. (Did this one win BP? I could have; Hollywood just loves grandeur. ) I know this is supposed to be a masterpiece. But it's soooo long and acty. (Well, that's a word I think I just made up.) Watching this movie I know I'm watching a movie and I'm not sucked in and I am soooo bored. To twist what Elaine from Seinfeld said about The English Patient: So die already! If you like Peter O'Toole as an actor (and I do), watch My Favorite Year. Now that's a good movie.

That's it for today. See you Wednesday.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Movie Monday (No Way! It's Website Wednesday!)

There's an anecdote going around about Obama spying John Boehner's rusty lawn mower and deciding he has to have it. Boehner doesn't want to sell it but finally says: $20. Obama realizing Boehner is driving a hard bargain negotiates the price up to $38 and gives him $40 and says: Keep the change.

Not really funny, even in the hands of a skilled comedian, especially since Obama just worked out a "bipartisan" (Oh, how I've come to hate that word!) compromise to link the continuation of the tax cuts for the wealthy with the extension of unemployment benefits for the jobless. So now the government will not be taxing the wealthy but allowing the hoi-polloi to pay for unemployment benefits. (Tongue in cheek, I say: Sounds fine to me.)

I was telling my husband last night that I may not vote for a President in the 2012 election. Here's my reasoning (and I'm basing this on the Dem candidate being Obama): Obama and many, many Congressional Democrats run away from liberals. They are scared shitless of liberal causes. If I, as a liberal, vote for them, my message is: Hit me again.

Now, without my vote (and, of course, I mean millions of other liberal votes- I don't think elections swing on my vote) if the Democrats retain the White House, the message is clear to them and me: I'm not needed.

But if the Democrats lose the White House when liberals abandon them, we might, just might, get the focus back on liberal issues: public option in health care, taxing wealth, jobs programs, etc.

I'm still fleshing out these thoughts. All I do know, I'm royally pissed - again.

My website pick follows with my theme:

http://www.bestoftheblogs.com/Home/

This calls itself a compilation of the best of liberal blogs. You can link your blog to this site if you wish.

The reason I chose this website is because there is a good analysis of Obama's latest "bipartisan" effort on tax cuts. Though I'm opposed to this compromise, you get both sides of the issue here. Not conservative vs. liberal side but liberal vs. liberal side. Which is what inflicts the greatest damage on the liberal cause: liberals are able to debate an issue from many sides. It makes us look weak especially if we start apologizing.

Best of the Blogs discusses all sorts of issues; there's some very good thinking stuff on this blog. And, don't we all believe that it's about time Americans turn off their "reality" shows and start thinking.

Enjoy.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Movie Monday - The Road

In one word: Wow!

I came to this movie with much trepidation and no background. First, about the no background: I knew it was based on a Pulitzer Prize, Oprah-pick novel which I had never read. So I knew it was an iconic work (possibly more due to the buzz created by Oprah than the PP) and I had to accept that some givens in the movie would be very familiar to a large audience, but not to me. Second, the trepidation: the movie had such a lousy pre-release period. It’s opening was postponed which is the code for “we have problems.” Was I going to be watching a flop? Did the interplay between the father and son (the most crucial dynamic of the film) really bomb? I was not expecting much when I finally sat down to see The Road on Showcase.

I was so wrong. I was stunned by the look and feel of the movie. This is a post-apocalyptic world that just keeps on giving. Except for some brief flashbacks (shot effectively in garish, artificial brilliant color and which flesh out characters and story) the movie’s setting stays on point throughout: bleak, cold, ugly, sterile. This is the end of the world ala T.S. Eliot: not with a bang but with a whimper.

All the actors contribute to the tone of the movie; Theron, Duvall, Pearce, but it is Mortensen as the father who, for me, totally changed from actor to character. That is, I no longer saw an actor playing a role, but an actor being the role with no distractions. Not a difficult stretch in “over-the-top” roles but pretty remarkable with the subtlety needed for this role. (Especially since probably no one of movie age in the world can look at Mortensen today and not think: Aragon.)

There was always going to be a problem with the son’s role and though Smit-McPhee plays it perfectly, neither his parents or Child Protective Services were going to allow him to starve himself into the “bag of bones” looks needed for both father and child. But he more than makes up for his lack of skinniness by his interaction with the father. The scene where his father shows him how to commit suicide, the scene where he awakens his father after he discovers his pocket trinkets on the table and says quietly: Don’t touch my stuff, and the final scene with his father on the beach are just three to watch.

Without having the book as reference, here’s what I got from the movie:

1. When the wife was at least 5 months pregnant (How do I know, you ask. She was visibly pregnant) a worldwide natural disaster happens. And by the time she is ready to give birth (4 months later), this disaster has become so terrible that the world is gray and she wants to have herself die with the baby inside. We don’t have to do this, she tells her husband. Oh, I think we do, he replies, and he helps her through a home delivery in a dark, cold-looking house.

2. Fast-forward about 10 years and the child is drawing on the walls in a candle-lit, cold house and the mother is asking the father to consider suicide as other families are doing. We will never learn what the natural holocaust was except that within a year of the first scene, society collapsed. The father refuses suicide and begs the wife to remain with them. However, she insists on walking into the freezing night to her death clad only in a tee and slacks. At this point, the father and the son are alone.

I found the scene when the mother leaves interesting. Normally, men comfort women but in their final hug, Mortensen puts his head on Theron’s shoulder. She is comforting him. She then tells him: Go south. Keep him warm. We won’t last another winter here. He has the hope; but she has the strength to face the bleak reality. It’s this subtle touches which define this movie.

3. The trip the father and son take to the ocean and warmth is spent for the most part walking on The Road. The father, whose character never changes, is constantly on the alert to protect his son. To him, all people they meet are the enemy and he is not paranoiac in his belief; there are many cannibals on the road. I have seen the movie four times but I still can’t watch all of the scene in the big house where they see the piles of shoes and discover the horrors in the basement and the bathroom. I know the father will not shoot the son in this scene (too early in the movie) but his and the boy’s fear rings so true as they await the woman opening the door, at which point the father must act.

4. People have said that the boy represents Christ and there is dialogue which leads to that conclusion. I know the movie is metaphor but I see it all on a much more basic level: what will humans do at the slow ending of our world? I know that the father represents hope; hope that there will be a better day. He takes all the burdens of the world on his shoulders to protect his son from the horrors but never understands (until close to the end) that the son “gets it.” The boy understands the horrors; he also carries the burden. He has understood the lessons. (Taking about lessons, it's obvious that the boy [aged 10?] can barely read as he struggles to read "Pears" on a can.)

5. We learn the father is dying early on and once he coughs up blood, you know the end is near. But I get no comfort with the deux-ex-machina ending as a nuclear family (father, mother, brother, sister, and dog) appear to care for the boy after the father dies. (We’ve been following you. We were worried about you. The mother tells the boy.) If the father’s voice-over has been correct throughout the movie and there is no sun, all the animals are dead [except for Fido, that is] and all the trees will finally fall from lack of nourishment, then the boy is just going to continue the journey to a slow death.

Huh? You say. What a bummer! But it isn’t. I’ve tried to analyze why I have my reaction to this film since I have no dog in this fight not having read the book. I think it’s because I see a possible future for me and mine and you and yours in this movie if as many scientists believe that without "a fix" the tipping-point for global warming will occur in two years. (Unfortunately for the whole world, too, too many Americans think: OK, that was the tipping point. Tip it back.)

Now, I made my husband, as my science-guru, watch the beginning of this movie as I explained the time line: 5 months pregnant - holocaust event occurs; 4 months later - the mother has lost all hope. My question was: Is such a quick moving natural disaster possible? His answer: Not unless a meteor hit the earth. I asked him because I did want to know if I was watching metaphor or reality. In the end, I think I’m (we’re) watching both.

George Clooney in Up In The Air gives motivational lectures titled “What’s In Your Backpack?" His thesis being that we carry too much emotional baggage. Watching The Road as the father and son push that shopping cart with all their worldly goods I’m asking myself: At the slow end of the world, what must I carry with me to survive?

Some final notes: It looks like The Road got no Oscar nominations. Not surprising for Hollywood but always disappointing. Unfortunately, the worldwide economic crash occurred at the time of this movie and we, Americans, do not like downer movies even in good times. Then The Weinstein Company experienced a financial crisis and must have sold their rights to the Dimension Films and the 2929 Company.

Bad timing, bad luck, but a great movie. Watch it.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Knitting Friday

Well, I guess you can say "Liar, liar. Pants on fire." to me since, though promised, I have no knitting pictures. But they say you can't miss with animals so here's a picture of Miss M. She still isn't full-grown but look at the picture on the left to see all the progress she has made since March of this year.

She is now pounds and pounds of pouncing fun; and still a yarn dog. Why does my knitting fascinate her so?

As to knitting, I've started on a lace Advent calendar scarf, which being an atheist I'm happy to note has no hidden religious messages in it. If you're not familiar with Advent it's the days starting on December 1 which lead up to the Christian Christmas. Kids would get an Advent calendar and on opening each day's little "box" they would get a treat, usually edible.

So with this scarf, you get a pattern a day. The cast-on for the scarf is 87 which will be shawl size if I use large needles. Here's the website:

http://www.von-stroh-zu-gold.de/muster/?p=40

She writes each day's pattern in words and charts and the charts are very, very easy to read. Ravelry already has scores of knitters making it so you can go there for any help you may need.

One of my Needlework groupie (all we need now is to find our own rock and roll band) said she wanted to start making lace and suggested I have a session on it. Which got me thinking that you might like this simple, simple pattern which is so easy for new lace knitters.

Using any weight yarn but with needles which are at least two sizes to big for the weight (for lace, I like US 10), CO 50 stitches.

Row 1: (Mark this side*) K1, *YO, K2tog* K1
Row 2: K

That's it. You get a garter stitch lace which doesn't need blocking. You can add some plain rows before you start your pattern (all knit or all seed) and you can add a few stitches to each side for an edging (in knit or seed.) If you add edge stitches to each row, slip the first stitch as P, and K the last stitch for a nice edge.

But if you just follow the two rows of the pattern with no edging at all, you'll get a nice and easy scarf. *You mark this row so you don't need a counter; every time you see the marker, you work the lace and on the opposite side, you just knit.

I'm making this pattern out of the re-cycled red yarn I mentioned last week which I had knitted into a scarf with a dropped stitch I never saw until a week ago. The yarn has been so worked that it resembles those curly noodles you just add boiling water to. I think the finished product will be wearable but I'll post a picture so you can decide. (FYI: I'm using US 11 on 36 stitches since this yarn is DK weight.)

That's it for today. I want to get my ducks in order and start this lace calendar scarf.

Happy knitting.

Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Website Wednesday

I don't know how long I can type without my middle finger (ah, yes, but there are so many others times to use that little finger, you say.) I was slicing the pineapple earlier and obviously I distracted myself because I just stopped short of lobbing off the little bugger. The bleeding has stopped and a wad of tissue and tape seem to staunch the blood flow. (No, it really wasn't that bad but it sounds better on paper that way.)

No Movie Monday this week because it was a traveling day and by the time I arrived at a place to type, I discovered the garage door mechanism was kaput. Did you know that you really can't just "pull the ceiling rope" and have your door return to the old-fashioned kind? Well, maybe it's only my brand of contractor's work but right now and bag of birdseed and some heavy tools are all that's keeping that baby down. Lowe's is coming tomorrow to replace both door mechanisms. Until then, I'm walking. Which is what I usually do anyway.

The girl went for cheer leading tryouts yesterday - and made the cut (well, everyone who tried out is now a cheer leader); much to the consternation of all. It's every day practice for one hour after school. What a bear! Especially with budget cuts which have eliminated the late bus. OK, all you old folks who grouse: I'm not playing for frills and get off my lawn while you're at it. I get it. But the school won't even provide a bus for which the parents pay. Not to worry though, our NJ gov will not raise taxes on the rich. Take that, you working stiffs!

On to websites. I have three and they are all over the place. First:

http://www.mindmeister.com/23290325/western-philosophy

This site is a thinker. No, I did NOT mean stinker. It's a great site for learning a little or a lot about the philosophies which are the foundation of western thought. Just click any + sign and you will work yourself deeper and deeper into deep thought. For example: click + at Modernity1; then click the + at James (that's Henry's brother, William - I can imagine the sibling rivalry in that house) and get sent to "Pragmatism, There is no concept of absolute truth, etc." which encapsulate James' beliefs. In just a few clicks, you have James-lite.

But next to James' names is a right facing arrow. Click that and you'll be sent to the Wikipedia entry for James - a lot more reading. Now, I know that Wikipedia is democracy in action with its author entries so you have to beware of inaccuracies. This stuff looks good though. And, on a visceral level: a picture of Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia founder) appears in most entries appealing for something or other and he has the most soulful eyes; how could you not trust this guy?

Second pick:

http://www.24flinching.com/word/ Read "About" for this site. It's very interesting.

I once taught a young man who was an ABR student (Adult Basic Reading) and so gifted with his design drawings. I worked with him for a few years and I was proud that he picked up 9 credits at the local community college. But it was his drawings which haunted me. There was so much talent there but a very limited market for it. Life changed for me and I had to move away but I still think about him and hope he's found some outlet for that gift.

OK, the above was a way of telling you that I am a sucker for any sites dealing with design. Take a good look at Sean Kernick site. Read his bio. It's all very interesting and worth the visit.

And finally:

http://www.flipwallpapers.com/

It's frigging wallpaper (the computer, not the wall kind.) It's glitzy. It's gauche. A lot of it is way bad art. And I love it! Once you get the image on a separate site, click again for the "big" picture. Oh, those playing kittens are cute. And that black winged horse. Enjoy it; don't think about it.

See you next on Knitting Friday.