Random Observances

One of the great things about XM Satellite Radio is that there is so much variety in the genres of music available. You may remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted that I had finally figured out trance...I have listened to quite a bit of it since then, especially making a point to catch as much of Victor Dinaire's Future Progression as I can. Last week he re-broadcast "The Best of Future Progression", and it was awesome.
Today I have once again found myself in the mood for something a little different, so I've been listening to Ngoma, which is a channel devoted to African music. I couldn't tell you how "purist" it is with it's playlist, being somewhat unfamiliar with pretty much all indigenous African music...however, intuition tells me that it's probably more "pop"-oriented, as opposed to purist.
It's enjoyable enough, I suppose...still, that nagging suspicion lurks that I'd probably like it a lot more if they were playing something that sounded a bit less polished...

Okay...opinions...do I have one about the Michael Jackson molestation trial?
Everyone else seems to have one.
For that matter, most folks seem to have made up their minds that he's guilty.
Sure seems like he is, but as for me, I hesitate to throw out a verdict because I don't know enough about the case to make in informed decision (not that anyone else who is already yealling "guilty" does, either) and, even more importantly, the level of apathy I feel concerning the whole debacle is alarming. I mean, it's terrible that this kind of thing happens to children and I really think that people who are caught molesting young boys and/or girls should be placed in a cave with a huge boulder sealing the exit and left to fend for themselves.
But we all know that the reason this case is still in the news is because it's Michael Jackson, self-proclaimed "King of Pop". Personally I proclaim that he is one of the least-talented and luckiest people to have ever attained such inordinate celebrity. I never liked his music and his outlandish diversions into "freak" territory were never anything more to me than a chance to sigh and thank God that fame & notoriety eluded me in my musical pursuits, else I could have wound up doing similarly stupid things.
But did he molest the kids?
If I were a bettin' man I'd lay odds on the prosecution.
I'm not, though, and I just wish the whole thing would wind down and open up airspace for a more worthy news story. I have to wonder how many child molestation trials are going on in this country at this very moment, none of which will even get a mention in any of the news outlets, but hey, Michael Jackson...does that really make all the difference?

So anyhoo...I'm checking out the blogosphere.
What a strange and disarming place it is.
mY wEeKnEsS iS tHaT i CaRe ToO mUcH...Okay, I'll cut Kendra some slack, since she's only 13 years old, but there's something quite discouraging about her blog. Example:
For all of you out there that i hurt...i am sorry. I have decided since like a while ago that i am starting over with my life...I am going to do more things for me. Not try to please everyone else. Because that got me into trouble the last time i did t. Yes...i cheated on taylor...to please Him, but i also heard...from one of his used to be best friends...that he cheated on me too, so basically he has no right to still be mad at me, if he did the exact thing to me...I dont know whaat i am goin to do to start over, but i know i am going to try to my fullest to get back to innocent,, the way i was in first grade..Although, it's going to be hard, trying to be nice, and not so...how you say, "flirty" but i am goin to try...
I don't know what's more sad...that this 13 year old is cheating and being cheated on or that she thinks it's somehow possible to "get back to innocent"...
Good luck, Kendra.
this hapax legomenon...Gotta give credit to a blogger who reads The Wittenburg Door.
true AMenity...

Now that's purty funny, no?
Amy lists 15 movies she thinks everyone should see. Have I seen 'em and what do I think? I heard someone askin'...
1. Almost Famous...Yes, of course I've seen it. Mark Kozelek's feature film debut (as the bass player in the band Stillwater) was enough to get my attention, but it was a very good movie that brought back a lot of memories. You have to know the extent to which I admired Lester Bangs to truly appreciate what Almost Famous means to me.
2. Amelie...have not seen it, but a friend with similar tastes tells me it's good.
3. Beautiful Girls...have not seen it...dunno that I want to.
4. Before Sunset...have not seen it. Never said I was all that avid a movie watcher, did I?
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind...Yes, and I very much enjoyed it. Great story and concept and Jim Carrey just keeps getting better with each successive role.
6. Garden State...no, but I've heard good things about it. Doesn't mean I'm anxious to check it out.
7. High Fidelity...yes, but I thought it was very over-rated, not nearly as good as I'd hoped it would be. Maybe I'm too close to the source, though, having worked in a few record shops in my day...
8. I heart Huckabees...no.
9. Memento...Yes yes yes, a couple of times. Maybe the best film on this particular list. What a brilliant, engrossing film this is.
10. Requiem for a Dream...yes, and I hated it. Not just because it was such a huge downer (I like Joy Division, after all), but it just tried too hard to be impressive in the cinematography division. Relentlessly depressing, and you could not pay me to watch it again (okay, for a couple of grand I'll sit through it once more, but I don't have to pay too close attention).
11. Run Lola Run...no.
12. Shaun of the Dead...no.
13. Trainspotting...yes, and it was another that I felt did not live up to the hype. Great soundtrack, though. That bit where the guy gets sucked into the toilet...nah. You can keep it.
14. Waking Life...no, but one of my best friends insists that I should see it, therefore I probably will one o' these days.
15. Whale Rider...no.