Monday, June 28, 2004
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Aidan and Shanna got off OK. At least the plane took off at 5:30 and it's now almost 10:30, and no phone call so I'm guessing they got on the plane OK. They should be in Amsterdam in a couple of hours, then a short layover, then on to Frankfurt. I really enjoyed having Aidan here. It was nice to see Shanna as well, but a little awkward. We were polite to each other at least.
Trying to work out different versions of my budget to fit into the scenarios I may be faced with in the year or so. I could be heading to Michigan in January, Korea in February, or Michigan next August. Won't be able to work any of this until next week, so I'm going to try and not think about it too much. I think I'm going to take in Fahrenheit 9/11 this weekend. I heard it's a romantic comedy about a boy and his love for oil.
Not much going on in my life. I need to get my homework done, but I have until Monday. I think I'm almost ready to start running outside again. My legs seems to be holding up well on the treadmill anyway.
In some weird demented way, I want the people doing the executions in Iraq to find a Chinese guy to threaten to kill. In response I want China to send about 2 million troops into Iraq. I figure 10 guys on every street corner would help curb the terrorist enthusiasm. Hey that's just me, and no I don't really want to see someone from China executed.
I think it's great a "civilian" made it into space this week, but I would like to know what they expect to come of this. If it's all about charging millionaires to say they're astronauts too, the fuck it...End it now. If it's about improving technology and advancing man's presence in space, then go for it.
Aidan dropped an "F bomb" while he was here. His exact words were "Where are those Fucking puzzle pieces?" very cute. OK, maybe not so cute. Turns out the pieces were in a place that I had looked the night before but somehow managed to miss.
OK, well I need to get some rest. I'm the Booster Club President, and we have a bake sale tomorrow (this would sound like a macho activity if....nothings coming to mind).
More later
Tim
Trying to work out different versions of my budget to fit into the scenarios I may be faced with in the year or so. I could be heading to Michigan in January, Korea in February, or Michigan next August. Won't be able to work any of this until next week, so I'm going to try and not think about it too much. I think I'm going to take in Fahrenheit 9/11 this weekend. I heard it's a romantic comedy about a boy and his love for oil.
Not much going on in my life. I need to get my homework done, but I have until Monday. I think I'm almost ready to start running outside again. My legs seems to be holding up well on the treadmill anyway.
In some weird demented way, I want the people doing the executions in Iraq to find a Chinese guy to threaten to kill. In response I want China to send about 2 million troops into Iraq. I figure 10 guys on every street corner would help curb the terrorist enthusiasm. Hey that's just me, and no I don't really want to see someone from China executed.
I think it's great a "civilian" made it into space this week, but I would like to know what they expect to come of this. If it's all about charging millionaires to say they're astronauts too, the fuck it...End it now. If it's about improving technology and advancing man's presence in space, then go for it.
Aidan dropped an "F bomb" while he was here. His exact words were "Where are those Fucking puzzle pieces?" very cute. OK, maybe not so cute. Turns out the pieces were in a place that I had looked the night before but somehow managed to miss.
OK, well I need to get some rest. I'm the Booster Club President, and we have a bake sale tomorrow (this would sound like a macho activity if....nothings coming to mind).
More later
Tim
Friday, June 18, 2004
I think Roger Ebert's artilce here does an outstanding job explaining how we should go about getting rid of Bush. I don't always agree with his choice of movies, but as for how a documentary should be done, he's right on.
'9/11': Just the facts?
June 18, 2004
BY ROGER EBERT FILM CRITIC
A reader writes:
"In your articles discussing Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' you call it a documentary. I always thought of documentaries as presenting facts objectively without editorializing. While I have enjoyed many of Mr. Moore's films, I don't think they fit the definition of a documentary."
That's where you're wrong. Most documentaries, especially the best ones, have an opinion and argue for it. Even those that pretend to be objective reflect the filmmaker's point of view. Moviegoers should observe the bias, take it into account and decide if the film supports it or not.
Michael Moore is a liberal activist. He is the first to say so. He is alarmed by the prospect of a second term for George W. Bush, and made "Fahrenheit 9/11" for the purpose of persuading people to vote against him.
That is all perfectly clear, and yet in the days before the film opens June 25, there'll be bountiful reports by commentators who are shocked! shocked! that Moore's film is partisan. "He doesn't tell both sides," we'll hear, especially on Fox News, which is so famous for telling both sides.
The wise French director Godard once said, "The way to criticize a film is to make another film." That there is not a pro-Bush documentary available right now I am powerless to explain. Surely, however, the Republican National Convention will open with such a documentary, which will position Bush comfortably between Ronald Reagan and God. The Democratic convention will have a wondrous film about John Kerry. Anyone who thinks one of these documentaries is "presenting facts objectively without editorializing" should look at the other one.
The pitfall for Moore is not subjectivity, but accuracy. We expect him to hold an opinion and argue it, but we also require his facts to be correct. I was an admirer of his previous doc, the Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine," until I discovered that some of his "facts" were wrong, false or fudged.
In some cases, he was guilty of making a good story better, but in other cases (such as his ambush of Charlton Heston) he was unfair, and in still others (such as the wording on the plaque under the bomber at the Air Force Academy) he was just plain wrong, as anyone can see by going to look at the plaque.
Because I agree with Moore's politics, his inaccuracies pained me, and I wrote about them in my Answer Man column. Moore wrote me that he didn't expect such attacks "from you, of all people." But I cannot ignore flaws simply because I agree with the filmmaker. In hurting his cause, he wounds mine.
Now comes "Fahrenheit 9/11," floating on an enormous wave of advance publicity. It inspired a battle of the titans between Disney's Michael Eisner and Miramax's Harvey Weinstein. It won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It has been rated R by the MPAA, and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo has signed up as Moore's lawyer, to challenge the rating. The conservative group Move America Forward, which successfully bounced the mildly critical biopic "The Reagans" off CBS and onto cable, has launched a campaign to discourage theaters from showing "Fahrenheit 9/11."
The campaign will amount to nothing and disgraces Move America Forward by showing it trying to suppress disagreement instead of engaging it. The R rating may stand; there is a real beheading in the film, and only fictional beheadings get the PG-13. Disney and Miramax will survive.
Moore's real test will come on the issue of accuracy. He can say whatever he likes about Bush, as long as his facts are straight. Having seen the film twice, I saw nothing that raised a flag for me, and I haven't heard of any major inaccuracies. When Moore was questioned about his claim that Bush unwisely lingered for six or seven minutes in that Florida classroom after learning of the World Trade Center attacks, Moore was able to reply with a video of Bush doing exactly that.
I agree with Moore that the presidency of George W. Bush has been a disaster for America. In writing that, I expect to get the usual complaints that movie critics should keep their political opinions to themselves. But opinions are my stock in trade, and is it not more honest to declare my politics than to conceal them? I agree with Moore, and because I do, I hope "Fahrenheit 9/11" proves to be as accurate as it seems.
'9/11': Just the facts?
June 18, 2004
BY ROGER EBERT FILM CRITIC
A reader writes:
"In your articles discussing Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' you call it a documentary. I always thought of documentaries as presenting facts objectively without editorializing. While I have enjoyed many of Mr. Moore's films, I don't think they fit the definition of a documentary."
That's where you're wrong. Most documentaries, especially the best ones, have an opinion and argue for it. Even those that pretend to be objective reflect the filmmaker's point of view. Moviegoers should observe the bias, take it into account and decide if the film supports it or not.
Michael Moore is a liberal activist. He is the first to say so. He is alarmed by the prospect of a second term for George W. Bush, and made "Fahrenheit 9/11" for the purpose of persuading people to vote against him.
That is all perfectly clear, and yet in the days before the film opens June 25, there'll be bountiful reports by commentators who are shocked! shocked! that Moore's film is partisan. "He doesn't tell both sides," we'll hear, especially on Fox News, which is so famous for telling both sides.
The wise French director Godard once said, "The way to criticize a film is to make another film." That there is not a pro-Bush documentary available right now I am powerless to explain. Surely, however, the Republican National Convention will open with such a documentary, which will position Bush comfortably between Ronald Reagan and God. The Democratic convention will have a wondrous film about John Kerry. Anyone who thinks one of these documentaries is "presenting facts objectively without editorializing" should look at the other one.
The pitfall for Moore is not subjectivity, but accuracy. We expect him to hold an opinion and argue it, but we also require his facts to be correct. I was an admirer of his previous doc, the Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine," until I discovered that some of his "facts" were wrong, false or fudged.
In some cases, he was guilty of making a good story better, but in other cases (such as his ambush of Charlton Heston) he was unfair, and in still others (such as the wording on the plaque under the bomber at the Air Force Academy) he was just plain wrong, as anyone can see by going to look at the plaque.
Because I agree with Moore's politics, his inaccuracies pained me, and I wrote about them in my Answer Man column. Moore wrote me that he didn't expect such attacks "from you, of all people." But I cannot ignore flaws simply because I agree with the filmmaker. In hurting his cause, he wounds mine.
Now comes "Fahrenheit 9/11," floating on an enormous wave of advance publicity. It inspired a battle of the titans between Disney's Michael Eisner and Miramax's Harvey Weinstein. It won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It has been rated R by the MPAA, and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo has signed up as Moore's lawyer, to challenge the rating. The conservative group Move America Forward, which successfully bounced the mildly critical biopic "The Reagans" off CBS and onto cable, has launched a campaign to discourage theaters from showing "Fahrenheit 9/11."
The campaign will amount to nothing and disgraces Move America Forward by showing it trying to suppress disagreement instead of engaging it. The R rating may stand; there is a real beheading in the film, and only fictional beheadings get the PG-13. Disney and Miramax will survive.
Moore's real test will come on the issue of accuracy. He can say whatever he likes about Bush, as long as his facts are straight. Having seen the film twice, I saw nothing that raised a flag for me, and I haven't heard of any major inaccuracies. When Moore was questioned about his claim that Bush unwisely lingered for six or seven minutes in that Florida classroom after learning of the World Trade Center attacks, Moore was able to reply with a video of Bush doing exactly that.
I agree with Moore that the presidency of George W. Bush has been a disaster for America. In writing that, I expect to get the usual complaints that movie critics should keep their political opinions to themselves. But opinions are my stock in trade, and is it not more honest to declare my politics than to conceal them? I agree with Moore, and because I do, I hope "Fahrenheit 9/11" proves to be as accurate as it seems.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
I just realized how good looking I am... OK enough of that. Aidan and Shanna are here until the 22nd, when they take off for Germany. It's great having Aidan around again, he's such a smart little guy. We're going to do some cake and ice cream on the 21st for Aidan's B-day.
Going to try diet and exercise for about 6 months to see if it lowers my blood pressure enough to avoid having to take medication. With side effects like fatigue and impotency, the medication does not sound very pleasant.
The booted Jim Norton off of Last Comic Standing because of his contractual obligations with another network...That just sucks, because he was the funniest person on the show.
I have a meeting with an Air Force Reserves recruiter tomorrow. Going to have her try and "sell me" on the idea of the reserves. This week I'm still thinking I'll be separating from the AF in August of 05. A lot of things are involved in that decision. I really want to get out and start working in the civilian work force. I also want to stay in place long enough that I actually can finish my degree without switching schools again. If I get out, I'll be here until Aug 05, which is when my current school program is over. Anyway, I have to get going from work. Just wanted to let my fans know that I still post occasionally.
Cheers
Tim
Going to try diet and exercise for about 6 months to see if it lowers my blood pressure enough to avoid having to take medication. With side effects like fatigue and impotency, the medication does not sound very pleasant.
The booted Jim Norton off of Last Comic Standing because of his contractual obligations with another network...That just sucks, because he was the funniest person on the show.
I have a meeting with an Air Force Reserves recruiter tomorrow. Going to have her try and "sell me" on the idea of the reserves. This week I'm still thinking I'll be separating from the AF in August of 05. A lot of things are involved in that decision. I really want to get out and start working in the civilian work force. I also want to stay in place long enough that I actually can finish my degree without switching schools again. If I get out, I'll be here until Aug 05, which is when my current school program is over. Anyway, I have to get going from work. Just wanted to let my fans know that I still post occasionally.
Cheers
Tim
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Well now, let us see...I had an outstanding time in Detroit. Good conversation, great food, good company, incredible ...you get the point. The Detroit suburbs are much nicer than the 8-mile video would have you believe.
When I got back, I had to take the metro back to the Pentagon where I had left my jeep. I walked all the way through the building, and out to North Parking only to find out North Parking was blocked off. So I walked (with my luggage) back up to the building only to be told to head back down and someone would let me through, which they did. I got out to the parking lot only to find out my jeep was not there...so I walked around, found a cop, and asked. He said he was not sure, but he knew they had moved cars over the holiday weekend so the lot could be used for the celebrations downtown. I finally was able to track down someone who told me where my jeep was parked. I had to head back through the building and all the way to the furthest part of south parking to find it (particularly annoying since south parking is located near the metro entrance). Overall, I walked about 2 miles carrying my luggage and I was not too happy, but I thought that if the lot was used for WWII vets, then I really should not complain. The problem is that the lot was not used for the veterans. It was used for a motorcycle rally. Fuck motor cycle people. My jeep did not have to be towed so these morons could have a place to sit on there oversized vibrators and slap each other on the ass. OK enough bitching about that.
This week wasn't the greatest at work. Our new commander is forcing my civilian bosses to justify the people we have in our office and the job they do. Problem is that it really can't be done. I think my branch exist so some civilians can keep there jobs and say that they manage a group of people. Everything we do can be farmed out to other divisions with minimal impact on their mission. Being the NCOIC though I was called upon to come up with spreadsheets, and slide shows that show just how busy everyone is. It did have a plus side when the civilian bosses where briefing the commander and she had them tap dancing around every issue. She told them that what they were using as justification was crap, which is the same thing I told them last month, the month before that and every preceding month since I have been here. None of what goes on there actually effects my military career, so I don't know why I let it get to me...
It's been raining here most of the week. We had some sun Thursday, which I used to mow the lawn. My roomies are out of town right now.
Shanna and Aidan are due here Tuesday. I can't wait to see my little boy. Not sure how long they're staying. Shanna needs to get her passport renewed before they can try to catch a hop over to Germany. I'm also not sure how easy they will be able to hop without my being stationed overseas, but hopefully it will all go well.
I'm still flip-flopping on staying in or getting out. In a perfect world, I would get a guard or reserve position in Michigan and then get a job in Detroit or the surrounding area. That way I could keep my affiliation with the AF and eventually earn retirement benefits, and I could also have a real job and be near the one person in the world I seem to connect with best. Failing that, I do have an assignment to Korea already in the AF system. I have a lot of phone calls with Guard and Reserve recruiters to make in the next couple of weeks. I'm also not afraid to admit that the idea of getting out and getting a real job scares the hell out of me. Once I commit to the decision though I know I'll do what I need to, to be successful. One of my personality traits is that I like to see both sides of an issue or decision and prepare myself to accept each equally. In my gathering of information and opinions, some people see me as indecisive. I don't look at it that way. I can make decisions when they need to be made, but when I have time to gather the facts I will take the time and make the best decision for me.... OK, skipping train of thought again...I'm tired of hearing "It's only 8 more years"...you know what..8 years is not a fucking long weekend...think of everything that's happened to you in the last 8 years...been a long frggin time hasn't it? I'm not sure I'm ready to commit 8 years of my life based on a monetary figure. If I get out, invest well and take care of my money, and myself then I will have the type of retirement I want, with or without the AF money. That being said, it would help pay a mortgage...
I went and bought healthy low salt food. I think I had three items to choose from in the entire supermarket. I ended up with a lot of fruit, and some low salt granola bars. I may be able to survive on this diet if I eat more fruits etc, but still allow myself the cheeseburgers and pizza that are the staples of my diet. I'm also hoping to get over the shin splints so I can start running more regularly.
Not much going on tonight...I'm wide awake and bored. I watched the entire first season of Last Comic Standing today. Tomorrow I'm going to clean up the house (it's not really messy, just need basic maintenance) and then have to pick up Glenn at the airport.
OK I'm going to go find a movie to watch or play my guitar....
more later
Tim
When I got back, I had to take the metro back to the Pentagon where I had left my jeep. I walked all the way through the building, and out to North Parking only to find out North Parking was blocked off. So I walked (with my luggage) back up to the building only to be told to head back down and someone would let me through, which they did. I got out to the parking lot only to find out my jeep was not there...so I walked around, found a cop, and asked. He said he was not sure, but he knew they had moved cars over the holiday weekend so the lot could be used for the celebrations downtown. I finally was able to track down someone who told me where my jeep was parked. I had to head back through the building and all the way to the furthest part of south parking to find it (particularly annoying since south parking is located near the metro entrance). Overall, I walked about 2 miles carrying my luggage and I was not too happy, but I thought that if the lot was used for WWII vets, then I really should not complain. The problem is that the lot was not used for the veterans. It was used for a motorcycle rally. Fuck motor cycle people. My jeep did not have to be towed so these morons could have a place to sit on there oversized vibrators and slap each other on the ass. OK enough bitching about that.
This week wasn't the greatest at work. Our new commander is forcing my civilian bosses to justify the people we have in our office and the job they do. Problem is that it really can't be done. I think my branch exist so some civilians can keep there jobs and say that they manage a group of people. Everything we do can be farmed out to other divisions with minimal impact on their mission. Being the NCOIC though I was called upon to come up with spreadsheets, and slide shows that show just how busy everyone is. It did have a plus side when the civilian bosses where briefing the commander and she had them tap dancing around every issue. She told them that what they were using as justification was crap, which is the same thing I told them last month, the month before that and every preceding month since I have been here. None of what goes on there actually effects my military career, so I don't know why I let it get to me...
It's been raining here most of the week. We had some sun Thursday, which I used to mow the lawn. My roomies are out of town right now.
Shanna and Aidan are due here Tuesday. I can't wait to see my little boy. Not sure how long they're staying. Shanna needs to get her passport renewed before they can try to catch a hop over to Germany. I'm also not sure how easy they will be able to hop without my being stationed overseas, but hopefully it will all go well.
I'm still flip-flopping on staying in or getting out. In a perfect world, I would get a guard or reserve position in Michigan and then get a job in Detroit or the surrounding area. That way I could keep my affiliation with the AF and eventually earn retirement benefits, and I could also have a real job and be near the one person in the world I seem to connect with best. Failing that, I do have an assignment to Korea already in the AF system. I have a lot of phone calls with Guard and Reserve recruiters to make in the next couple of weeks. I'm also not afraid to admit that the idea of getting out and getting a real job scares the hell out of me. Once I commit to the decision though I know I'll do what I need to, to be successful. One of my personality traits is that I like to see both sides of an issue or decision and prepare myself to accept each equally. In my gathering of information and opinions, some people see me as indecisive. I don't look at it that way. I can make decisions when they need to be made, but when I have time to gather the facts I will take the time and make the best decision for me.... OK, skipping train of thought again...I'm tired of hearing "It's only 8 more years"...you know what..8 years is not a fucking long weekend...think of everything that's happened to you in the last 8 years...been a long frggin time hasn't it? I'm not sure I'm ready to commit 8 years of my life based on a monetary figure. If I get out, invest well and take care of my money, and myself then I will have the type of retirement I want, with or without the AF money. That being said, it would help pay a mortgage...
I went and bought healthy low salt food. I think I had three items to choose from in the entire supermarket. I ended up with a lot of fruit, and some low salt granola bars. I may be able to survive on this diet if I eat more fruits etc, but still allow myself the cheeseburgers and pizza that are the staples of my diet. I'm also hoping to get over the shin splints so I can start running more regularly.
Not much going on tonight...I'm wide awake and bored. I watched the entire first season of Last Comic Standing today. Tomorrow I'm going to clean up the house (it's not really messy, just need basic maintenance) and then have to pick up Glenn at the airport.
OK I'm going to go find a movie to watch or play my guitar....
more later
Tim
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