Saved comments for February 2019
Mar. 1st, 2019 09:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neonvincentIt's now March, so it's time for me to post the comments I left at other blogs, mostly Booman Tribune, but also Kunstler's blog and others.
My comment on Enter, Stage Center.
I was expecting you would write about Howard Schultz. On Monday morning, the pundits at CBS News, CNN, and CNBC debated his running for president as an independent and generally thought it would be bad for Democrats, which is driving the oldest continuously active political party into a froth, much like the one on a Starbucks latte. Trump isn't the only billionaire uniting the Democrats, who Will Rogers famously mocked when he said "I am not a member of any organized party — I am a Democrat." They're organized now!
"Poor Mr. Trump will be left groaning and bellowing in that tar pit of fiscal ruin like a doomed mastodon while the saber-toothed cats prowl the sagebrush flats around him." I enjoy your paleontological references even more than when you reference "The Fourth Turning" and other works of Strauss and Howe. However, as the world's expert on the fossil snails and clams of Rancho La Brea who also looked at the plant fossils from the deposit, the area around the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax was not mostly sagebrush flats, even though sagebrush fossils have been identified from the deposit. It looked more like Big Sur does today, complete with redwood groves surrounded by chapparal upstream. If you want sagebrush flats around tar pits, try McKittrick, which is west of Bakerfield. I used to work there, too, and it very much fits that description.
My comments on Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 101.
Happy Groundhog Day! For today's drink, I'm being a good environmentalist and recycling the video from Drink to an early spring on Groundhog Day 2019 at my personal blog: Groundhog Day Cocktail from How to Drink.*
It's Ground Hog day so I'm talking about the 1993 movie of the same name and making 2 drinks. Rita's favorite and something I call Punxsutawney Phil's Liquid Courage!May the groundhogs be right, even if there is scant scientific evidence in their favor.
...
It's Groundhog Day this weekend and I know with this polar vortex in effect we're all hoping for an early spring, so let's hope that ol' Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow. That's right, it's a peculiar regional American tradition some of my viewers might be totally unfamiliar with so here's the gist: On Groundhog Day a a special groundhog (Punxsutawney Phil) in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania is coaxed out of his hole. If he sees his shadow and is thus scared back into his hole, well, that means we've got six more weeks of winter on the way. If he doesn't and just, aimlessly mills about, spring is on the way. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It's also the setting and plot of the 1993 modern classic Groundhog Day, which sees our hero Phil Connors (as played by Bill Murray) trapped in a time loop, doomed to forever repeat the same exact day again and again as he pursues the love of his television news producer Rita (played by Andie MacDowell).
This film is beloved by so many for so many different reasons. For starters, it's the final film collaboration between director Harold Ramis (who is also an actor, consider Egon from Ghostbusters) and Bill Murray. The two collaborated on six films together some of which are beloved timeless comedies: Ghostbusters, Stripes, Caddy Shack, Groundhog Day... And for another reason it's the most profound and spiritual of their films, and indeed of many films in general. Many people profess a deep kind of spiritual connection to this movie, it's been referred to as "The Perfect Buddhist Film" as we see this utterly self centered weatherman endlessly reincarnated as he endeavors on a quest of self improvement until he's finally redeemed and breaks the time loop.
It's also kinda creepy, since he spends what fans estimate to amount to about 34 years pursuing every conceivable detail about Rita so as to win her over... that's a tad stalkerish. Happy Groundhog Day!
Punxsutawney Phil's Liquid Courage
1.5 oz. -or- 45 ml. Sweet Vermouth
1.5 oz. -or- 45 ml. Laird's Straight Apple Brandy
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Stir over Ice and Pour over Big Cube
Express oil from orange peel
Garnish with an Orange Wedge
Sweet Vermouth on the Rocks with a Twist
3 oz. -or- 90 ml. Sweet Vermouth
Ice
Twist of Orange
If this diary is still on the rec list tomorrow, I'll post a video for Super Bowl Sunday.
*Tipsy Bartender doesn't have a Groundhog Day cocktail, so I had to go elsewhere.
My comments on State of the Union.
"[L]ocal hero rapper Big Boi’s triumphal entry in a limo, nearly lost inside what looked like the pelt of a giant ground sloth — an eight-year-old’s idea of what it means to be important" — once again, a paleontological reference! Keep them coming, I love them! I'll be sure to remember them for Darwin Day, which is next week!
"The hinge of the whole story will be how fabulous the US economy is." While at the same time, the fate of Sears Holdings is going before a bankruptcy court today. By the time of the State of the Union, either Sears but possibly not KMart will be saved, at least temporarily, or both chains will be headed to liquidation. The loss of Sears in particular will cast a pall over any rosy economic wishful thinking coming from the podium tomorrrow night.
Speaking of wishful thinking, Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, and Woody the Woodchuck all predicted an early spring on Saturday. While the snow is melting today in metro Detroit, I'm not convinced. I still think we're in for a long winter.
My comment on Trump speaks!
I knew enough about hippos to expect that from the preview, but the noise still surprised me.
My comment on "A Wilderness of Mirrors" at Ecosophia.
I also found it interesting to observe the reactions to Howard Schultz announcing his interest in running for president as an independent, first from the cable news talking heads and again from the late night comics. Opinions from the cable news people ranged from negative to weakly positive, with the more right-leaning hosts and guests being the most supportive, while the comics were overwhelmingly negative, essentially saying "we already have one politically inexperienced billionaire in office, why replace him with another?"
As for Schultz occupying the empty center of American politics, I'm not so sure that's entirely true. On the one hand, the socially liberal and economically conservative quadrant, in which Schultz policy positions reside, already has a party, the Libertarians, which has the best ballot access of any third party, 33 states and the District of Columbia. On the other hand, it is empty, as a small minority of American voters occupy it. That same article shows that the real underrepresented segment of American voters are socially conservative and economically liberal. That's the real "abandoned center of U.S. politics" and Trump is the candidate who dominated there in 2016.
As for Gunhild Stordalen moralizing about diets, I consider that to be the liberal expression of one of Jonathon Haidt's moral foundations, purity. Liberals tend to moralize food and eating, beyond its nutritive/material aspects, while the right moralizes sex. Trying to tie it into carbon footprint is really a scientific/materialistic excuse for something not really being done for scientific reasons. Conspicuous consumption of resources other than food or sex don't seem to trigger that same moral instinct, even though a rational basis for concern about the planet says it should.
By the way, even supposedly objective measures of environmental impact seem to emphasize diet. When I calculated my ecological footprint for Earth Overshoot Day, it penalized me for eating meat every day, much more than for my driving. Speaking of which, that's what I advertise on my blog, the effects of my driving, not my eating. I think showing that I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint by driving less will be more effective good example than moralizing about my diet.
My comments on Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 102.
To mark (not celebrate) 2018 officially being the fourth warmest year on record, I'm serving Flamin Hot Cheetos Tequila Shots - Tipsy Bartender.
This is shot made by infusing Flamin' Hot Cheetos and tequila!The bartender is taking requests.
Here's the video I was thinking of posting for the Super Bowl if Vol. 101 had still been on the rec list on Sunday, Beer Tower.
Guaranteed to make your Superbowl party the best on the block... SUPERBOWL BEER TOWER!Any requests? I request cover versions.
My comment on Mistaken Futures.
This isn't the first time you've forecast that The Singularity will not be the problem more technologically optimistic futurists expect it will be. I recall watching you in "Prophets of Doom" telling Hugo De Garis that and getting him to consider other issues as more pressing. One of those is climate change, which got into the news last week when 2018 officially became the fourth warmest year on record. I fully expect this year to be even warmer. El Nino in action!
My comments on Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 103.
Since today is Valentines Day, I'm pouring Red Hot Valentine Shots.
Here's the recipe:I have a double holiday drink special today, as I skipped posting yesterday, which was National Gumdrop Day.
RED HOT VALENTINES SHOT
1 Part Fireball
1 Part Cherry Vodka
Splash Grenadine
Pearl Dust
Red Sugar
Candy Hearts
PREPARATION
1. Rim edge of shot glass with red sugar.
2. In an ice filled glass add fireball, cherry vodka, grenadine and pearl dust. Stir to combine.
3. Strain mix into shot glasses and garnish with candy heart. Enjoy responsibly!
The first holiday drink I'm pouring is Bubble Gum-Drop Martini.
When Ozzi mixes Bacardi: Magic happens!
"There you have [it]" -- that's Tipsy Bartender's catch phrase, but this video is older than the Tipsy Bartender channel by seven months. Huh.
That leads to today's national day and accompanying drink, which is for National Almond Day. Tipsy Bartender has the drink, Almond Joy.
Here's the recipe:
ALMOND JOY
1 oz. (30ml) Amaretto
1 oz. (30ml) Creme De Cacao
1/2 oz. (15ml) Coconut Rum
2 oz. (60ml) Cream
Chocolate Syrup
Coconut Flakes
Almond Joy Candy
PREPARATION 1. Rim edge of martini glass with chocolate syrup and coconut flakes. Set aside.
2. To an ice filled shaking glass add coconut rum, amaretto, creme de cacao and cream. Shake well until chilled and combined.
3. Strain mix into dressed glass and garnish with an almond joy candy. Enjoy responsibly!
Since you mentioned National Cabbage Day and challenged me to find a recipe, how about cabbage soup?
This video shows you how to make a healing cabbage soup with chopped cabbage, garlic, onions, and stewed tomatoes simmering in chicken broth. It's great when you have a cold. It will heal what ails ya. But it's a delicious and comforting soup any time.Hope this makes people feel better in a different way than my cocktails do!
Much to my pleasant surprise, this diary has returned to the rec list. As today is Presidents Day, which used to be Washington's Birthday, I'm going to serve Drunken Cherries in honor of the country's first president.
Here's the recipe:
DRUNKEN CHERRIES
Cherry Vodka
Maraschino Cherries
White Chocolate Candy Melts
Sprinkles PREPARATION
1. Soak maraschino cherries in cherry vodka for an hour or so.
2. Gently dry base of cherries on paper towel before dipping in melted white chocolate.
3. Cover chocolate with sprinkles. Enjoy!
This entry is still on the rec list, so the readers deserve another round of drinks. Because today's food holiday is National Chocolate Mint Day, I am serving Mint Chocolate Chip Shots from Tipsy Bartender.
In the mood for some MINT CHOCOLATE....
My comment on Scott Pelley Commits Career Suicide.
I don't know if Pelley's interview with McCabe had him pitching any more softballs than his interview with Howard Schultz. The late night talk show hosts and their guests took aim at Schultz, not Pelley. I'm sure that more brickbats will be aimed at McCabe than Pelley, yours notwithstanding.
My comments on Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 104.
The bar/cafe is open
Since tomorrow is National Margarita Day and I have more margarita recipes available than I know what to do with, I'll be serving margaritas every day this diary is on the rec list. I begin with something really goofy, Blindfolded Margarita from Tipsy Bartender.
I'll have a serious recipe tomorrow, which begins in less than half an hour where I live.
Today's margarita recipe is Devil's Margarita from Tipsy Bartender.
I am serving this offbeat version of a margarita because Monday was National Drink Wine Day, which I skipped because it was also Presidents Day. Better late than never!
The third margarita recipe I'm sharing is Margarita by the Gallon.
Here's the recipe:For the fourth day this diary is on the rec list, I'm serving Margarita Pitcher.
MARGARITA BY THE GALLON
4 Cups Tequila
1 Cups Triple Sec
1 Cup Lime Juice
2 Cups Sweet & Sour
4 Cups Orange Juice
4 Cups Passion Fruit Juice
Oranges
Strawberries
Limes
PREPARATION
1. Add fruits to gallon container.
2. Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sweet and sour, orange juice and passionfruit juice.
3. Stir to combine. Enjoy!
Here's the recipe:Enjoy while watching tonight's Oscars?.
MARGARITA PITCHER
750ml Bottle Tequila
16 oz. (480ml) Triple Sec
6 oz. (180ml) Lime Juice
8 oz. (240ml) Lemon Lime Soda
2 oz. (60ml) Simple Syrup
Lime Slices
Salt
PREPARATION
1. Add lime slices to base of pitcher and pour over tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup and lemon lime soda. Stir well to mix.
2. Rim edge of serving glass with salt and pour mix inside. Enjoy responsibly!
For what I expect will be the last day this diary is on the rec list, I'm celebrating another national day in addition to the week-long celebration of Margarita Day by observing National Tortilla Chip Day by serving Mini Patron Margaritas with Mini Tacos from Tipsy Bartender.*
Taco Tuesdays will never be the same with these...MINI MARGARITAS and MINI TACOS!Looking forward to seeing what Don Durito has in store for Wednesday!
...
MINI TROPICAL PATRON MARGARITAS
Baby Blue:
Mini Patron Tequila Bottle
1/2 oz (15ml) Blue Curacao
1/2 oz (15ml) Lime Juice
1 oz (30ml) Sour mIx
Pink Margarita:
Mini Patron Tequila Bottle
1/2 oz (15ml) Triple Sec
1/2 oz (15ml) Lime Juice
1/2 oz (15ml) Grenadine
1 1/2 oz (45ml) Pink Lemonade
Orange Margarita:
Mini Patron Tequila Bottle
1/2 oz (15ml) Triple Sec
1/2 oz (15ml) Lime Juice
1/2 oz (15ml) Sweet Sour
1 oz (30ml) Orange Juice
1/2 oz (15ml) Simple Syrup
*All of the usual suspects have recommended this diary, so I'm not expecting any more.
As Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" This diary received another rec from someone who isn't one of the usual suspects, although I might add them to the roster, so it's back on the rec list. Time for another recipe!
Because yesterday was National Chocolate Covered Nut Day and today is National Pistachio Day, I'm serving the one margarita recipe Tipsy Bartender has that includes a nut of any kind, Strawberry Coconut Margarita
A delicious and crazy strawberry coconut margarita that's actually served in a coconut. We open the coconuts using the Coco-Jack; it the newest and easiest way to open a coconut ever!My favorite Skinny Puppy song is Testure.
...
STRAWBERRY COCONUT MARGARITA
1 1/2 oz. (45ml) Tequila
1 1/2 oz. (45ml) Grand Marnier
1 oz. (30ml) Lime Juice
1 oz. (30ml) Strawberry Syrup
1 oz. (30ml) Cream of Coconut
Strawberry Slices
Top with Coconut Water
I particularly enjoy the samples from "The Plague Dogs," as grim as they are.
My comment on It can happen here.
"A Night at the Garden" has a nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject. As I wrote in The highest grossing and most honored political documentaries of 2018 at my personal blog, "If the members of the Motion Picture Academy wanted to send a domestic political message, they could vote for 'A Night at the Garden,' but 'Black Sheep,' 'Lifeboat,' or 'Period, End of Sentence' winning would make statements about racism, xenophobia, and sexism, respectively, so they might work nearly as well and one or all might be better movies to boot."
In other political movie news, "Fahrenheit 11/9" won three Razzie Awards, two for Donald Trump and one for Kellyanne Conway.
My comment on Oscar Bytes.
I watched the entire ceremony and made predictions about most of the categories in advance. I called most of the winners and even anticipated most of the upsets, such as "BlacKkKlansman" beating "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" for Best Adapted Screenplay and "First Man" beating "Avengers: Infinity Wars" and "Ready Player One" for Best Visual Effects, even if I didn't think they were favored, but one award surprised me, Olivia Colman winning Best Actress. She won the equivalent category at the BAFTA Awards, but I expected Glenn Close to take home the little golden man instead. Just the same, I enjoyed watching Colman giving her spontaneous stream-of-consciousness acceptance speech and so did the audience.
As for the lack of the mention of Trump, that didn't stop the presenters and awardees from being political and criticizing him indirectly. Barbra Streisand spoke about truth being under attack and Spike Lee implored the audience to "do the right thing" and go to the polls next year. The entertainment professionals in the hall and many of the viewers at home knew exactly who they were referring to and what to do about it.
Just the same, the Academy voters had some chances to score political points with the winners of the documentary awards and chose not to. It would have been easy for the members of the Motion Picture Academy to make a statement by voting for "RBG"; instead, they gave the award to "Free Solo." In this case, they bowed to popular taste as "Free Solo" earned $2 million more at the box office than "RBG," making it the most lucrative nominated documentary ("Won't You Be My Neighbor?" was the highest earning documentary released during 2018, but wasn't nominated).
They could have also made an "it could happen here" point by voting for "A Night at the Garden," but instead honored "Period, End of Sentence" to make a statement about sexism. That's much more indirect. By the way, that's one of the awards Awkwafina, the "chick in a jogging outfit" gave out.
In contrast, the movie awards show that had no problem mentioning Trump were the Razzies, which nominated "Death of a Nation" and "Fahrenheit 11/9" four times each, including two shared ones for Donald Trump. They followed through, as "Fahrenheit 11/9" won three Razzie Awards, two for Trump and one for Kellyanne Conway, while "Death of a Nation" shared two of them, both for Trump, as Worst Actor and Worst Screen Combo with his "self-perpetuating pettiness." Conway won for Worst Supporting Actress, beating Melania Trump.
Finally, I wish to address our host's comment that "America is marinated in the juices of Hollywood." Most of that marination is in fantasy, as nine of the ten highest grossing films of 2018 were speculative fiction, including the highest grossing film about politics and government, "Black Panther." Even the one top ten movie that wasn't about superheroes, science fiction, or fantasy, "Mission: Impossible - Fallout," had strong escapist elements. I'll leave what Americans' taste for escapist fantasy means as an exercise for the reader.
