| da olbermann |

Keith Olbermann continues to follow in Edward R. Murrow’s footsteps with his latest commentary on the failings of the Bush administration. In case you’ve missed them, here are some others well worth watching: Sept. 18; Sept. 11; Aug. 30 (the last is a response to Rumsfeld’s fascism comments).

Sure, it sometimes feels like Olbermann is auditioning for the sequel to Good Night And Good Luck, but I balance that with how often it feels like Bush is auditioning for the sequel to 1984 and it doesn’t bother me so much. Besides, I can’t think of a better person for Olbermann to emulate or a better time to do it.

| like a rolling stone |

Despite featuring Justin Timberlake on the cover, the last issue of Rolling Stone had a fantastic article on the war on terrorism by Robert Dreyfuss titled “The Phony War.” It includes several insights from former intelligence officers and features this anecdotal lede:

Perhaps most interesting is a sidebar piece chronicling the true nature of several “orange alerts” over the last few years: (pdf files: page 1 and page 2). While one or two instances may be overlooked, the sheer number of false alarms with questionable timing should be enough to raise a few eyebrows.

| phunk up |

My review of Audioslave’s new album is online. And yes, I use the word “time” twice in the second sentence. Why? Either because I’m light-years ahead of any conventional thinking about English grammar and by breaking the first rule of writing I’m actually ushering in my own superior philosophy on the written word, or I’m an utter twunt with no skill or regard for his craft. (Though a third possibility remains that I was merely trying to keep my editor on her toes.) In any case, I’ve failed miserably. Which, if you’re keeping score, tends to be the overall theme of my silly existence.

| dawkins on delusion |

Speaking of silly existences, Richard Dawkins’ new book The God Delusion is finally shipping here in the States. (Christmas, anyone? C’mon, you can revel in the irony.)

One of the best points Dawkins has ever made on the subject of religion (and there have been many) was during a lecture he gave early last year in London. He put up an image from a newspaper that showed three small children, each only 4 years-old. Dawkins pointed out that below the photo read a blurb describing the children as a Sikh, a Muslim, and a Christian respectively. Then he reminded his audience that it would have been just as preposturous to label the children with economist titles like Monetarist, Keynesian, and Marxist. “Yet,” Dawkins said, “the whole of our society, including those who are not religious, quite happily go along with the ludicrous fiction that you can call a child a Christian child or a Muslim child.”

Dawkins also went on to say that he is firm believer in what the feminist movement termed consciousness-raising in order to get people to flinch when certain phrases are used (like saying “him” when you really mean “him or her”) and he believes the same technique could be used to educate people about religion. He also supports teaching religion in schools due to its influence on current affairs and history as well as its enormous influence on culture and literature. Of course, he insists it should be studied as a science without any indoctrination, and I certainly couldn’t agree more.

But damn it, why am I doing all this prattling? Dawkins says it best in his own words. You can watch this recent interview from BBC Newsnight about his new book where he fields some of the most common questions he gets on the subject. Or, if you have 36 minutes to spare (and I do recommend finding the time), you can watch Dawkins’ aforementioned London lecture from March 2005 here (RealPlayer; better quality) or here (Windows Media Player).

As I mention in the review, Dylan has a satellite radio show called Theme Time Radio Hour on XM Radio (listen for free at aolradio.com). Dylan’s been running the PR gamut lately: appearing in a recent TV commercial, setting up an exclusive deal with iTunes, and even getting the nauseatingly overused Scarlett Johansson to be in his latest music video.

Here are two of my favorite Dylan performances (courtesy of the pleasantly overused YouTube): Shelter From The Storm (1976) and One More Cup Of Coffee (1975).

| sontag on writing |

An excerpt from Susan Sontag’s journal, dated 31 December 1958:

Why is writing important? Mainly, out of egotism, I suppose. Because I want to be that persona, a writer, and not because there is something I must say. Yet why not that too? With a little ego-building—such as the fait accompli this journal provides—I shall win through to the confidence that I (I) have something to say, that should be said.

My “I” is puny, cautious, too sane. Good writers are roaring egotists, even to the point of fatuity. Sane men, critics, correct them—but their sanity is parasitic on the creative fatuity of genius.

I had no idea what fatuity meant before I read this. (The closest I could come to was fortuity.) This either means that I’m a writer so full of wanton fatuity that I haven’t even managed to master a word Sontag felt comfortable enough to use in her daily diary (twice) or that Sontag was, even in her personal notes, a prat.

In any event, I can’t help but agree with her thoughts on writing. I’ve had similar discussions with other writers and if I kept a personal journal, I might have likely made a similar observation at some point. But I’m glad Sontag was there (several decades) before me to express the point much more intelligently than I ever would have. I’ve also been meaning to write something on contemporary camp lately (actually since May), and Sontag’s 1964 essay is a must-read I’d recommend to anyone interested in the subject. Which begs the question: Is there anyone else interested in the subject?

| sherlock house |

Now that both The Sopranos and Deadwood are on hiatus, my latest TV obsession (along with most of America) has been House. While I’m not a fan of the repetitive plot lines or the unbelievable acumen with which each doctor diagnoses rare illnesses, I do dig House’s Sherlock Holmes vibe — his single-minded obsession that leads to comical misanthropy. I’ve even noticed that Dr. House’s apartment address (221B) is a slight nod to the famed consulting detective.

Given this newfound interest, I did some rummaging through YouTube for Hugh Laurie’s work with Stephen Fry. Some (several) highlights: Short Poems; Pass The Marmalade; Mr. Burmie Sketch; Tony & Control; Barman Sketch; Herbal Cigarettes; Kickin’ Ass.

Speaking of Sherlock Holmes, Jeremy Brett’s portrayal from the Granada TV series is still by far the best. Hilarious, eccentric brilliance.

| shout out |

By the way, it’s this guy’s birthday today. See some of his work here.

This poem was inspired by this palimpsest.

| like-minded |

Mark Strand’s new book, Man And Camel, came out last week. Coincidently, the title comes from the same poem of his I chose to use in my Poetry Meets Music collection. And, well, you know what they say about great minds. (“They think a-like me!” would be the Henny Youngman punchline.)

| stoned |

Today is director Oliver Stone’s birthday. (Happy birthday, Ollie.)

But please, someone explain this to me.

I have to admit that I was among the many who didn’t entirely enjoy Oliver Stone’s Alexander. However, contrary to Stone’s popular belief, it was not due to any underlying homophobia on my part; rather, scenes were often disjointed, I never felt like I had a good grasp on The Great’s motivations or thoughts, and the scenes with Hephaistion seemed too contrived. (Plus the acting was a bit weak to say the least.) Still, all in all, I appreciated the effort as much as anyone interested in Alexander of Macedonia and the visuals were certainly, um, stunning.

Now I don’t ordinarily have a problem with director’s cuts or extended editions of films, but Stone’s handling of Alexander post-theatrical has been especially irritating. Only last year, he claimed that a shorter version (meaning 168 minutes) would eliminate some unessential scenes from the original release and reveal a clearer storyline. Jump ahead one year, and now the director claims that a super-sized version (clocking in at 220 minutes) will be the definitive cut he always wanted to release.

How can a serious director be so flakey about his own work? Either admit defeat (like Orson Welles did more than once), or take the time to figure things out and release one reworked version. Instead, Stone rushed out a dehomosexualized version on DVD in response to critics and homophobic filmgoers, smacked “director’s cut” on the cover, and claimed it was definitive in a poor effort to recoup losses with DVD sales in the United States. Even if agenda-ridden studio moguls did try to force his hand into cutting scenes, as he claims, couldn’t Stone have the Gordian Knots to stand up for his work and say no? Tell them, instead, that he’d rather release an even longer version than water his film down?

It’s not that I’m terribly interested in seeing another version of Alexander or that a longer version would reveal an entirely different film, but for a man so passionate about this topic (“I knew that I had to make this film”), it’s odd that he would compromise it so much. Shouldn’t we have been spared these experimental edits supervised by investors and simply had one version of the film the director was satisfied enough with to stand behind? Unless, of course, Stone intends to surprise us with yet another release — Alexander: The Reshoot.

The Sept./Oct. issue of Skope Magazine is out now. Originally a Boston-based pub sold through Newbury Comics, this month they’ve launched nationally and can be found in 200 stores across the country. A bigger deal with a national bookstore should be coming in March. In the meantime, you can find issues at these locations or order one online. This month’s issue includes my interview with Canadian post-hardcore metal group Protest The Hero (read my comparisons to Spinal Tap and an emofied Rage Against The Machine) along with a few album reviews.

And for anyone in NYC looking for something to do on the 13th, Skope is hosting their National Release Party at The Cutting Room on 24th Street at 9pm. Hosted by DJ Shyne and featuring Virtual Jungle, The New York Dynamite, Voxhound, and Vanessa Conde. Should be poppin’, snacks — or so I’m told.

| pomes all sizes |

New poems forthcoming in Nth Position (December) and Twenty3 Magazine (October). I could go on a poe-biz tirade now and extol its non-virtues, but I’ll spare myself, and simply point you toward Bill Knott’s blog instead. He has the experience and legitimacy to write more pessimistically about the lit scene than I (these posts are especially insightful: one, two, three).

| the kid in the picture |

Movie producer Robert Evans interviewed for The New York Times (use bugmenot if you need to login). I love Bob Evans — his book, his documentary, even his short-lived cartoon series. (Evans also has a web show coming out called Ask Bob.) He’s like everyone’s favorite Hollywood uncle. Someone should publish his new book so I can meet him at a book signing and slip him my screenplay: “I brought you a present, Bobby. It’s your next picture. You can thank me at the Oscars.”

| lookwell |

Created by Robert Smigel and Conan O’Brien in 1991, Lookwell was a failed television series that starred everyone’s favorite camp character actor, Adam West, playing his usual over-the-top delusional persona. In the pilot episode, West portrays actor Ty Lookwell who once starred in a television cop show and who imagines he can solve crimes like his former TV alter-ego. I can’t say it would have worked well as a long series, but West is hilarious and it does have its moments.

| ask a ninja |

Ever wanted to ask a ninja how he felt about the French Revolution, ninja interns, or minjas? How about ninja conventions, a ninja’s relationship with physics, or just about anything else? I’ll admit the editing is a bit bleh, but the cuts help sell the humor.

| vader |

Speaking of editing, this is good. Reminds me of the Vader Sessions.

| habitz ‘n’ peeps |

I’ve noticed I must be a bulk blog poster. I’d rather post a lot all at once than add a little here and there. It’s part of the reason I didn’t enter Ben Popik’s Yo La Tengo Late-Summer Weblog Challenge. Besides, there are far more interesting posts coming from the likes of Todd and Tony than me. And I just learned that Monica is a CSI: Miami fan. (I’m don’t regularly watch the show, but I do love Caruso’s dramatic line readings.) Anyway, apologies for not posting more here. It’s not that I’m terribly busy — though I do have some press kits to get through — I’m just more self-conscious about what I post than how often I post. Here’s hoping I have something interesting to share soon.