More election day fun: Fights in Texas... no, actual fights.

Representative Patrick Rose was attacked by Rick Green, the man he beat four years ago. Atacked at a polling site. A polling place at a Baptist church. Green apparently was shouting "You need to stop lying" and "Let him defend himself, the big baby."

Hays County Election Administrator Joyce Cowan said the polling site has been busy and the incident doesn't appear to have affected voting. "It's been a busy polling site all day," she said. "I don't think it did anything but give the people in line something to look at."

Sometimes I wish I lived in Texas. No, not really.

(via Wonkette)

Election Night!

I'm taking a break from writing for awhile to watch some election night coverage.

I love election nights. So much crazy fun. And always more fun when it is not just a night of crushing defeats for your believe system.

The exit polls are of course just one pile of BS after another but still entertaining.

CBS is reporting that the feeling inside the Whitehouse is "glum." Welcome to my world, buckos.

Looks like Lieberman will win in CT. Considering that he is a Republican acting Democrat running as an Independent, it's not big surprise. He is the political equivalent of a straight acting lesbian bi-sexual cross dresser male transsexual female impersonator in drag. He appeals to no one or everyone.

NY went the way we all thought. No surprise there. Menendez (D) won in NJ... maybe the office vandalism this morning worked. In RH Whitehouse (D) won, which supposedly is a big deal although I don't know why. But he ran on the slogan "Have a Whitehouse in Washigton you can trust" which is cute but just a bit easy.

Governors seem to be going both ways. Governors do that.

Cardin (D) beat Steele (R) in Maryland. Cardin had a Michael J. Fox ad. Steele had a rebuttal ad with his little sister who has MS. So both favor stemcell research, but I guess a time-traveling teenage Nixon loving werewolf Hollywood doctor with Parkinson's beats a little sister with MS. I believe that is up there with "never get involved in a land war in Asia" and "never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line."

(EDIT: Maker that "a time-traveling teenage Nixon loving werewolf Hollywood doctor with Parkinson's beats a little sister ex-Mrs. Mike Tyson with MS." Who knew? Well, everyone apparently.)

Dan Rather is supposedly co-anchoring with Jon Steward tonight. Sweetness.

I take it back. There is definitely a god... just look at the banana!

Bananas, An Atheist's "Nightmare." It is all so clear now. Easy to grip surface, hand to open, color coded system to tell if it is ripe. Clearly God exists. (I won't go into that an easy to eat fruit makes it god for animals to eat and travel with, thus distributing the banana seed farther, thus making evolution come to such a nice "design"... no, I won't.)
Bonus points for Kirk Cameron.

Vote, damn it!

Just go vote. While I would love for you to see everything the way I do and vote the same way I do (go WFP), much more important is that you vote and vote what you believe. Maybe there is acanidate you love. Maybe there is a canidate you hate. Maybe the only one you can stomach is one that has no chance of winning. Doesn't matter. Just vote.

In case you weren't sure of my politics...Yes, I like George... George Michael! Zing!

Sugar Cookie

Are you a man or a woman? It's up to you!

NYC Board of Health is considering allowing peopel to change their birt certificates to whatever gender they damn well please, no special surgery needed. Could become a nice end around the issue of same sex marriage... if one of the partners is willing to legally change their sex. I am stating for the record right now that I am all for this. I have no idea the possible legal/social chaos this might cause. But bring it on!

(via NYTimes)

Gears of War and I'm a whore

Remember a month ago when I played Gears of War for a few minutes? Well, it's coming out in a few days. I have to say that the hype machine on this one has gone a bit crazy... but considering it is releasing right at the PS3 and the Wii launches, it is no surprise. The two pronged attack of Gears and Viva Piñata (warning: if you click through to the Viva site you will have a horrible song inserted into the deep recesses of your brain) plus a info blitz on the no-release-date-yet-announced Halo 3 and the launch of the 360 HD-DVD drive all seem to be Microsoft's defensive strategy. We'll see how it works.

Although, since the PS3 is only launching with 400,00 copies in North America, I don't see how the PS3 won't sell out. So it is a question of whether folks denied the PS3 (or possibly the Wii) will pick up a 360 out of frustration. Seems less like an issue in the first three weeks than an issue for around Thanksgiving.

Anywho, I'm a video game whore. Just sayin'.

Here is a pretty standard video game trailer. Very Lord of the Rings-ish.
I much prefer this one. Thank you for not setting it to heavy metal. I hope game PR people/makers are beginning to release that not all gamers are 13 year old boys.
It has actually been awhile since I was excited about a video game to be honest. And I have plenty of questions about Gears' gameplay. But I most not let it distract me from the damn book.

The Democrats will rape your daughter

Sigh.

(via krum as a bagel via Wonkette)

The Body

Some wonderful scans of historical anatomy books. I love these things. For me there is something beautiful (and disturbing) about these drawings. And fascinating. Some of them are not for the weak of heart. Get it? Heart?

(via Boing Boing)

Child's Play

The video game devoted website/webcomic Penny Arcade has just started their annual charity program Child's Play. This is their 4th year doing it. Originally started in response the the media blaming the world's woes on video games, it sends toys, games and cash to childrens hospitals in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Austrailia and Egypt. Last year they raised over $600,000.

Writing, Insomnia, Random bits

I've been writing, on and off, all night. I haven't been talking about the book much, I know. It's... a very different experience. Last book was a cathartic joy. This is... haunting. The world surround Joseph O'Clock is a twisted and dark place. The comedy I was shooting for is still there, but it darts around in the shadows. It is a scary book. Not frights, but there is a beast underneath the books skin that wiggles and squirms, itching to break through.

Allen NoLastTime from Four Borders had it easy. But that was in part because his book was about rebirth and over coming loss. Or at least accepting it (or defying it). Joseph's path... Man, I don't know what I, Emelphin and Quill (full name Qilzhqtylrophffffftcough) are doing to bore Joseph.

The first moment I realized that the book had delved into something I didn't quite understand was when Samantha attacks Stephan in the school yard. I knew the scene was coming, knew it was coming from the moment I conceive of the story. But her ferociousness surprised me. The way she scattered the colored chalk at her feet and was upon Stephan's back, her teeth sinking into his shoulder. Joseph's panic, his sweaty hands, the box slipping to the concrete. Bobby flailing at Samantha, desperate to protect his on friend. The screams from the students and the yells from the teachers as Joseph finally gets the box and press the buttons to all three children. Their bodies convulsing as the electric shock surged through their bodies.

And I never expect Samantha to get back up and turn on Joseph, blood on her lips... and the standoff that followed.

And it has gotten darker since then.

This has always been my problem with the whole Judeo-Christian "God has a plan/God works in mysterious ways" thing. Either you have a benevolent God or you have one that functions on such a different level that "benevolent" has no meaning. But the God in the Book of Job accepts Satan's plan to torture Job... just to prove a point. It is not a test of Job. It is a pissing contest.

Perhaps that's what this whole series is: Why SixSider thinks God is an ass.

Anyway, I didn't intend to write about all of that. I meant to mention somethings that have bothered me with elections coming on Tuesday.

- The election ads have gone insane. I don't even get the Republican ones. The Dems ads all seem to be just listing Bush's campaign promises from 2004. Not listing things he didn't do... just listing them. And then there are the mass of apologies this year. Alan Hevesi's "I was stupid" ads over the last few days are particularly entertaining.

- The whole "What do we call Hilary Clinton?" question is interesting. I know I refer to her has Hilary, which I realise is wrong. But we always refer to First Ladies by their first names. I don't know how we break ourselves from that.

- Obama. I'm torn. There is no one out there I would rather vote for in 2008, but I have no idea how he'd react to a national campaign. I have no idea how he'd actually run the country. He is farther left than the his image actually is. I'd hate to see him have to bend center for the Presidency... and I really don't think Senator Clinton is electable.

- I haven't been looking to closely, but why has gas prices dropped so much over the last ten months? What changed? The conspiracy theorist in me wants to know.

- Cheney is going hunting during the election. 'Nuff said.

- Oh, John Kerry. You would have thought the word "Us" would be a uniting word. Not a word that ends up destroying any career you may have had left. Of course, he did leave "Us" out and that was his problem.

- Haggard. First, whenever I quickly see the head lines, I see "Haggar admits to buying meth, getting gay massage," and I picture that funny little viking. But beyond that, is he going to blame it on booze too? Or being molested? I'm not saying these folks weren't victims, but take some damn responsibility!

- And what is it with the 11th hour outing of Republicans? What the hell happened? Foley, Haggard, Mark Hyman (a maybe), Charlie Crist (another maybe). I loved Crist's response to the a gay-marriage question: "“Marriage is a relationship like my mother and father had, like I had before I got divorced.” Apparently the 50-year old bachlor was married for a very short time in 1979. Man, if all of the closeted Republicans came out they might find they'd have a whole new power base.

- George Allen should be given a tv show. We'd be just like Borat. Send him to Bangkok and Bombay and Sierra Leon. Call it "Delirious George."

- Hussein's conviction. Actually, I have nothingto say on the subject. I'm just glad that Trial of the Century is over. I'm sure the next one wis only a few years off.

France: "Video Games Are Art"

Oh, France, how I adore you! You were way ahead of the us on the film = art and the comics = art thing, and now you are recognizing video games as art.

In March, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, France's minister of culture, pinned a medal from the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres - a prize awarded to acknowledge cultural accomplishments - on three prominent video game designers. Now he pushing video games to be recognized as a cultural industry eligible for tax breaks (just like the film industry in France is).

"Call me the minister of video games if you want - I am proud of this. People have looked down on video games for far too long, overlooking their great creativity and cultural value."

And we get Senator Clinton and Jack Thompson. I wonder if Johnny Deep has a room for rent.

(via Kotaku)

Speaking of my improv class...

Next Sunday (that would be Nov. 12) at 5:30 pm will be my improv classes graduation show. So just head on over to the UCB Theater (307 W 26th St. -- that's 26th and 8th). I mean, come on, it's just $5. Will be over in about an hour.

Sunday Practice

Had practice today. I felt a bit scattered and out of sorts, but it was still good. Mr. Schwartz was unable to attend today, so we had Amey Goerlich, who I adore, came. She's also in Krompf. Yeah, I have a crush on all of Krompf. Anyway, it was great to get another eye. I MUST STOP TRYIN' TO WRITE SCENES. CURSE ME! Oh, I'm just being hard on myself. It was all good.

Quick vote - What name do you like best for an improv team?

1. Dog English
2. Sugar Cookie
3. Fosey Clumps
4. Shit Mystery
5. Mystery Shit
6. Rayp Seen
7. Snowpants

All of these have actually been floated to one extent or the other (except for Snowpants, which we aren't 'allowed' to use). For extra fun, guess my favorite.

So who are all those blog links?

Last month, after switching over to Blogger Beta (which I love for the most part), I re-did all of my links. Not by choice, but because they just didn't translate over when I changed templates. But Blogger makes it super easy to change them do it was all good. But in case you are interested in who they all are an why they are there (especially since some of them are so rarely updated)...

The Smirking Valet: She was in my Improv 201, has become a good friend, and is just a funny gal. Her blog is bit like the Nanny Diaries meets the Adams Family. Horrible description.

Matt Little: Mr. Little is from my 301 and a comedian. He does stand up (which I haven't seen). But he's got the funny, I know that much.

Anthony King's Lunch Truck: My 101 teacher. You can catch him at UCB with Rueben Williams and in assorted other things. A show he co-wrote Gutenberg! The Musical! is hilarious and coming to Off-Broadway at the 59E59 theater Nov 21-Dec 31. Great show. Go see it.

Joe Wengert: What Did You Change It To?: My 201 teacher. One of my favorite improvisors out there. Can be seen with Reuben Williams at UCB and around town with Krompf! Best initiations in scenes that I have ever seen.

Chris Gethard: Morrissey and Fist Fighting, Mostly: My 301 teacher. Not to take anything away from any of my other teachers, Gethard is a frackin' incredible teacher. I love to think about comedy and he lets me do that while not letting me get so into my head that I suck. His blog is mostly and Brazilian Jujitsu.

It's Pat Baer!: Mr Baer is the technical director at UCB. I don't know him, I just think he deserves some praise. He also has a newish podcast.

Will Hines and Paul Scheer: Don't know either... they're just improvsors I enjoy.

Improv Everywhere: Guerrilla theater/pranksters/whatever you want to call it. Just go watch some of the stuff they've done. It's pranking with no malice.

Rejected Jokes, down in the What I'm Watching section, is of course Ben Schwartz's project. He has become our regular Sunday coach... and manages to just fill us with passion for the funny.

Get Off My Lawn!!!!: From The Planet Jake, it just started. But he is one of my all time favorite people. I used to live with him and game with him and work with him and hang with him. All praise The Planet.

Jolie Laide: She is an amazing artist although wouldn't like describe herself in those word. Her Tiny posts and photos capture the small moments in NYC with such clarity and beauty. Some editor really needs to pick her up and give her a book deal... which I doubt she'd take. At least give her a gallery showing. She is also just a great person.

Neil Gaiman: An author. I love him as a writer, but I put his bog up because it is just darn interesting stuff.

The others are assorted tech blogs and such I follow closely.

Comments

I'm going to try to be more active about reposnding to comments on my posts. Yeah, like the ten of you who read this thing actually care.

I'll Be Seeing You...

Just saw a show by a friend of mine from improv 101, "I'll Be Seeing You..." Jennifier Russo created a beautifully touching arrangement of classic songs into a dance/musical piece for five performers. A little rumination on love in wartime. A sense of grabbing at what joy one can when the world is so uncertain. It was sweet and funny and sad. It's run was just ths week, so now it is gone. But it is lingering with me tonight, like the taste of your love after they have gotten on the train and you don't know if you'll see them again.

NaNo Blues

I made a huge push last night, but I still feel way behind. Grumble grumble.

He's like the reverse of the Hamburgler

The Best Audience For Comedy EVER

One of the things I love is that you can watch him laugh at remembering the joke and in anticiaption of the joke.
(via Digg)

Slow novels, annoying subs, great classes

The novel is starting slow. Almost painfuly so. I don't want to get into it right now because there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful. But it does feel like I am climbing up a steep slope, believe that their is a much easier climb if I can just get past this first part... but not being able to see over the ridge, I can't be sure.

Sketch class had a sub teacher. He had good notes, but I felt like he thought he was running a group of writers for a specific show, and not a beginning sketch class. He also got very flirtery with the one woman in class. Whatever.

Improv class last night was frakin awesome. Just good work by everyone. Very very funny. I personally felt very in the moments. There were times in my scenes were I suddenly let myself give into emotions (in the scenes I got to kind of cry and in the group game I initiated I got have a ranting outburst). And suddenly I understood so much of what I was missing. I felt like I was gifting myself and gifting my partners. It was a great feeling.

But it goes to eleven...

Gizmodo reports that the Martin Logan Descent i Subwoofer's power knob literally goes to 11. Derek Smalls must be over joyed.

The most expensive sketch ever written

So I finally finished my Commercial Parody sketch for tonight's class. I did to the Uwe Boll/Oregon Trail movie trailer. I inserted some commentary by Uwe himself so I could make fun of him more directly. I think it turned out pretty funny. But it is pretty ambitious if anyone were to try to shoot it. Fields on fire. Covered wagons forging rapids. Charging bears. Lots of gun fire. Charging bears on fire. A single shot that goes from a close up of Nicky Cage to high above the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest on fire.

But I did give Dakota Fanning dysentery. And Jessica Simpson syphilis.

Halloween was fine. Met my low expectations, which was dandy. I enjoyed dressing up and scaring little children with my Santa of Death. It is odd how even on Halloween people on the subway won't sit next to someone in a Santa suit, long skeleton fingers, skull face makeup with blood hand prints on the face and neck. Go figure.

UCB was so-so. Anthony King is amazing with his one-liner observations. And Angeliki George just slays me. Her Slappy, the UCB basement monster, was down with such incredible joy and conviction.

The Harold at 10pm seemed to be a hard struggle. They seemed to have a real hard time finding the game in many scenes. It was one of those backseat improv-ing nights, where in my head I keep yelling, "No no! You just passed up something and now who are taking too many left turns!" It is always easier in the audience... except for those times it's not and you are just amazed and surprised.

Someone did come in a great Joe Wengert costume.

Over on Neil Gaiman's blog, he has an amazingly adoreable picture of his daughter Maddy dressed as him. If you know Gaiman, this will make you laugh

Just don't talk to me about LOST

I'm just done talking to people about LOST. If they bring it up, I will listen but I won't give them my 2 cents. Not unless, I know that they actually want to talk about the events of the show and not how it has disappointed them.

It's not that I don't care about their opinions. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. And LOST is a show that people devote a lot of energy and passion to. But I am sick and tired trying to defend this season. Or last season. Or everything after the pilot episode. The fact is I like the show and I like the story arc. I don't need new and exciting info every episode. I don't even need plot progression every episode. I don't care who Kate ends up sleeping with. I don't care if they play Sawyer as 'nice' or an 'asshole.' I don't care if they spend 42 minutes discussing philosophy. I don't care if the Losties get their butts kicked for 6 episodes in a row. I don't care who they kill off or who they bring back. I don't care if things make any logical sense now until the final episode of the final season.

Because, I believe for the first time in my life, I am a true fanboi.

I trust the writers implicitly. I will follow them down whatever road they take me. I love to debate what each element might possibly mean or if it means anything at all. I love to ponder the characters individual story arcs and how they relate back to their flashbacks. I adore the slow pace, the interlocking structure, and the fantastic imagery. I love parallels, the references, the call backs, the redherrings, the McGuffins, the fakeouts, the reveals. I love the music and the production values. I love the mystery, the complex mythos, the hundreds of unanswered questions. I don't need to be shocked, yet I am always awed.

I trust the writers and I don't want this show to be forced by people screaming what they want this show to be about to change their course. I want 7 seasons and then I want a finale. This is a show that I feel is so perfectly suited to the television format, that plays with the concept of time and episodic content, that proves that TV does have to be dumbed down or crap. This is a show that shows what scifi/fanatsy does well.

All I ask is that it makes perfect sense by the series finale. Not every question needs to be answered by then, but the unanswered ones need reasons for being unanswered.

That's all I want. So told tel me how you hate the show this season or how it has disappointed you. Because I am bored by trying to defend it. Either watch it or not. Talk t me about the hundreds of things about the show that are fun to discuss, not why you are about to 'stop watching if it doesn't get better soon.' I just want to enjoy the damn thing.



Now, if you want to hear my 10 minute rant on how and why Sorkin is screwing up Studio 60 or how quickly Gilmore Girls slipped this season after Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino left at the end of last season, step on in. Both of those shows are about to get booted from the Tivo if they don't get better soon.