Wednesday, September 14, 2005

you decide

There's something about the internet in general and blogging specifically that inspires hyperbole. It's not enough to say that something's great. It has to be best ever. Or worst ever. Or Worst. Thing Ever. So I will resist the urge here and just say this is A) quite funny and B) somewhat disturbing

13 comments:

Stephen Glass said...

It's deeply, deeply disturbing. And I'm going to decide in a second if it's just funny or hyberbolically, hysterically funny.
If you're going to Portugal, be sure and give shout-outs to Manuel Dutra, Maria Santos Ferreira and Jorge da Costa. They should be laying low in Madeira.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone read that Ricky Henderson article in the New Yorker? It's hella sad. He's playing for some independent league, waiting to get called back to the majors....

I guess Ricky Henderson has to do what's best for Ricky Henderson.

-michele

beckler said...

I did read that. I was thinking that Charles might enjoy it. How'd you like the food issue? That Esca guy is crazy. I'd really like to go there. I liked the Gopnik article, too, although Steingarten already wrote about that veggie guy.

Anonymous said...

I didn't think it was the best food issue ever, which was kind of dissapointing since it only comes once a year. But yeah, I liked the Gopnik article, the offal meat dude was interesting. I like gopnik articles in general, especially when he writes about France.

I have a question for you and others...if I was to donate to the relief effort, where do you think would be the best place? The Clinton/Bush fund seems suspect...I was thinking red cross and habitat for humanity.

-michele

beckler said...

Yeah, definitely not the best food issue ever.

DB was saying that for the time being Red Cross has been donating all the money they receive rather than taking a cut off the top for their expenses, so that's where I put in my measly sawbuck. I need to contribute more.

That reminds me, Grace said that she heard from Jack that the coverage in Spain was just as racist, if not worse than that in America.

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's good to know about the Red Cross. I haven't donated yet because I haven't let myself think too much about New Orleans until last night. I think I was scared to really think about it. I've had intellectual discussions and allowed myself the comfort of blaming the administration and the media, but I haven't let myself really think about it. I've been avoiding the newspaper and NPR, etc. But last night I read an article in the most recent New Yorker and I freaked the fuck out. It's overwhelming and horrible. One old man didn't leave his house every time the police came by to "help" because they were yelling racist shit at him. And today in Providence it's pouring rain so hard that the sidewalks are underwater, which is nothing I know, but the imagery is making me imagine how horrible to have it multiplied by 5000 and I can't really stop weeping while I'm at work which I hate because everyone here sucks. And the reason I'm writing this here is because it's making me feel better to have some (however remote) contact with my friends.

-michele

beckler said...

It's certainly dispiriting. I know that's too mild a word for it, but it's one word that applies.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to drop a depressing bomb on you guys. As soon as I posted I started to feel better, but you guys probably feel like shit. Feel free to comment about other things besides the flood. Like Ricky Henderson or make that Daily Mirror pun, that'll cheer me up.

-m

Anonymous said...

if anyone could copy or lend me the rickey henderson article that would be swell. I really hope he plays until he is 50. I like when stereotypes get a good what-for from the wide world of sports. makes me happy. That said I hear Ricky is kind a dick.

Charles

beckler said...

I can loan you the mag. I'm frustrated, because I know there is a way to access it online but the New Yorker website is misleading and pretends that you can't.

DB said...

No Rickey Henderson bashing, please...not only did man set the single-season record for stolen bases and the career records for walks, runs, and leadoff homers, but he was an Oakland A on four or five separate occasions. Plus, the man is pushing 50 and still trying to play ball...that's strangely ennobling. I have not read the New Yorker article, but I'm sure it points out the quandary of what poorly educated athletes (baseball players especially, since they are often plucked right out of high school) should do once they leave the game, which is often the only thing they know. Not every player has the personal touch for coaching, or the keen strategy for managing, or the verbal acuity for broadcasting (just look at the mushmouthed douches who make the cut, then think about how bad you have to be NOT get a color man gig). But Rickey will always be the best leadoff hitter in the history of the game, and the best Oakland A in their forty-year history.

Anonymous said...

Who was henderson-bashing???!!!! I was kind of making fun of how he always talks about himself in the 3rd person, but more in reference to the David Cross skit than anything else, plus I think it's rad that he talks like that, it's stylish.

No, that's part of why the article is so great, because they remind those of us who don't really know, just how great of a baseball player he is! (I was a Giants fan with a big ol crush oin Kevin Mitchell: think wierd trippy anti-gulf war/pro-Mitchell doodling in pre-algebra, mixed in with a little faux-chicano rose art) And I think it's totally awesome that he's still playing at age 46, and he makes the point that it's hard to beleive that he wouldn't be a better bench player than some of the new recruits...he doesn't have any injuries, he still has lots of energy. He mainly just wants to retire in a major league uniform. And altough it's not a tragedy that he has to play for this weird busted league (apparently his lack of education didn't prevent him from handling his money like a fund manager i.e., 5 or 6 luxury cars, big beautiful mansion, lots of money still), it's seems like it's kind of breaking his spirit. Especially when people call out things like. "Where's your wheelchair, Ricky?", and I guess he's too psyched out to steal bases anymore, which is really sad.

And he doesn't seem like a jerk at all, in fact it mostly just seems that the old guard baseball stiffs didn't like his flamboyant style. But I think his homerun style seems awesome, and his base-stealing skills are amazing.

Anyway, I have a film question for DB. I don't know where to post it. His website or Becky's???????

-michele

beckler said...

i'd have to say head for the barnseyard.