chuck kottke

Well, this an entertainment website, so it's going to be a little up and down with the entertainment world it's connected to.. Quick, someone get Coldplay to release a new hit single!!:)

Why have the ratings slid so? I hope it wasn't something I said!!

Don't believe them, Grace! Australia is mostly a desert with lots of strange creatures that make weird noises at night!:laugh3: Look at it - it's isolated! It was a former penal colony!! There's almost no snow, and their season's are all backwards!! Wild parakeets will pry off your hubcaps, and the Wallabies try and lick salt off you when you sweat!:P Come to the U.S. It's alive! Our country is a 24/7 party place; the winter is winter, and the summer is summer. There's gambling in Las Vegas and night shows galore; skiing in the mountains - hey, you can attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas!! There's Los Angeles, stars, and the sunset strip.. Hey, and we have the largest fresh-water lakes in the world, and plenty of Irish and German music and festivals in Milwaukee and Chicago! There's the rides at Great America, with Bugs and Daffy, there's Epcot center, Disneyworld, Disneyland, and Mickey and Cinderella & rafting in the mountains, and swimming and biking the Tetons, and the Geyser's at Yellowstone, and clams and beans in Boston, and NY concerts galore, and Philly steak sandwiches, and fishing for Marlins off the Florida coast, and the little fiddler crabs that run around your feet when the tide comes in, and oodles of bands in Austin (including Coldplay at least once, and the Jonas Brothers) and bungie jumping, and sledding down the big hills, and it's filled with people going 90 mph, so one never sees a dull day here.. (unless you hide from it all). :laugh3:

How so?:hippy::sunny: You mean Weirder than normal, Lore?:laugh3:

:rolleyes:Guilty??:rolleyes: Did you sneak a piece of chocolate from the cupboard?:P

:laugh3::cool:Obviously, a bunch of prudes!:P (just kidding!) College partying and a little drinking isn't all bad - as long as it's just for fun, and everyone walks or has a designated driver.. It's the US, and as always, it's a mixed message..(alright, maybe I was bad for having so much fun..) but now who really doesn't like to party at that age?? What would life be like without a room full of dancing, singing students at 2 AM, or kegs in the tub?? Or the track and field team running the "nude mile" during bar time?

I can understand that. In a smaller country such as Israel, everyone knows everyone else, or knows the family. I hope he is returned safe and sound; every person is precious, and a solider doesn't make the policy, they just do their duty. I wish for his safe return, and for the fighting to come to an end... One thing I'm wondering: how to defuse all the young boys (and girls?) who are brainwashed by the militant extremist type madrassas? To make improvements in economy, education, and rights helps, but if a few still remain so mixed up in their minds, then that could lead to more cycles of violence.. What can be done about that?

What I'm alluding to is that (and perhaps I'm mistaken about the facts) often those in command order return fire in a manner that kills so many more than just the militants firing the rockets / grenades / mortars. The US command did this many times (Iraq, Vietnam, Philippines), and I think it's partly human nature when a conflict erupts. When the bombs are falling, nobody questions the decisions, and often a great many innocents get hurt. Yes, I would imagine Hamas fighters do that- take children from the streets as human shields - and therefore some civilians , children, will get killed by accident, and it is wrongful what these Hamas fighters have done. But, the responses by our modern forces often does a great deal more damage than intended and hurt or kill many innocents. What leaves a question in my mind is motivation. Has the Gaza strip been under an embargo of goods and a restriction placed on getting to work outside the strip? Somehow, Hamas smuggled the weapons in through the Egyptian border, and the Palestinian citizens tolerated their actions - how did this happen?? Isn't the border made secure by arrangements with Egypt? Why would a population so tolerate a criminal organization? Perhaps sanctions or economic conditions made many ignore these militants as they felt the economic pain. Similarly, the US sanctions against Iraq and the bombing of water plants for 10 long years didn't endear the Iraqi citizens to the US any, and so angry people tolerate terrorists in their midst, with predictable results. I'm not saying that the Israeli government is "criminal" but I do believe that arrogance of power & decisions can exist within any military or command power structure, and those making decisions which have little to no regard for human life of the population across the border, if this is the case, should be held accountable. The same holds for the US, where we did things that were clearly excessive and sometimes downright heartless during the occupation in Iraq. My conversations with veterans from Fallujah and Abu Ghraib tells me this. Howard Zinn has a lot to say about warfare, and I can see what he says now has some salience. Underlying causes often get lost once a conflict starts, and those are the things we all need to get better at understanding. But there's so much hurt on both sides, and it's so senseless is all I'm saying. We in the living have so little to compare the suffering to..

Juilliard school for musicians then?:rolleyes::) Grace, go where you enjoy being - and perhaps the schools in the US are too expensive (but if you become a citizen here, the land grant universities then get very affordable).. Well, maybe we are too intense over here? But that does sometimes propel individuals to greatness, although the hyper-competitiveness can be a bit too much.. Hmm.. Anyhow, then schools in the United Kingdom, or Australia sounds both affordable and enjoyable.;) Go where your spirit takes you..

Apart from the whole socialism/capitalism schism, what I'm trying to convey is that we can make a difference simply by making the elections as fair as possible. At the point we're at - economic blunders we're saddled with - enough of our fellow citizens might get the message, if they knew where to turn to. And since money is at the root of the "one party" system as you term it, however different the investors may be for one or the other party, neither group of of the big donors has the best interests of the citizens or the country or the world in mind. So, herein lies the problem: whether conservative or liberal, whether from this economic background or another, none of us, alone can steer things in a better direction. To get the representation we deserve, we must find many ways to limit the big contributions and open a way for better candidates to emerge who do represent the broad majority of constituents. My suggestion was to tie the campaign contribution limit to the working wage - one day's wages, and no more. Some argue for public financing, and Maine has had success with this path.

Hmm.. journalism could be the ultimate challenge!! Maybe you just need to start somewhere, as an undeclared major (which you can do here), and then when you get a feel for where your passion lies, then take it from there? Most students at our universities start out that way, and then develop an interest in the thing they find fascinating, useful, or with job opportunities. There's no set field until your 2nd or 3rd year, and even then you've got flexibility within the area you've chosen.

You are suffering from an overdose of U2! Perhaps the antidote is to listen to another band, and then come back to U2 when you haven't heard them for a while! (And pardon my misquote on post off there!)

Hello Grace! I would recommend... having some German Chocolate!;):) Anyhow, as a graduate of our illustrious land-grant university system, I can assure you that (a) algebra is almost always required, but (and here's the good news:)) (b) there are different algebra courses. So, there's algebra for journalists, algebra for artists, algebra for business types, algebra for science majors, algebra for engineers, etc. Another words, it's not really that hard for students who only need a basic knowledge of mathematics in their selected field.. And that's for the state schools - private institutions may be altogether different. Student life in the US is... hmm.. well, that all depends! It varies from university to university, from private to public institutions, and some specialized campuses may be altogether different. If, for instance, you enrolled at Juilliard school for the performing arts, that would probably be very different from enrolling at let's say Boston College, which would be a world apart from say the University of California - Berkeley. But it is quite a bit more expensive at the public institutions if you are a foreign student (say for instance, here at the University of Wisconsin), and the private schools then might be more comparable in price. Generally, the Midwestern US is the better value, because of the cost of living index. You're interested in Journalism? (And BTW, we all go through phases of the doldrums.. I think part of what I've experienced is akin to feeling like a surfer - all is wonderful when everything clicks, you're comfortable with what you're doing and the surroundings, and you're riding a good wave. But if you get thrown off a bit, it feels like being on the "tumble cycle" in a washer!:laugh3: The secret, as far as what's worked for me, is to figure out what's tripping me up, and then get back in the swing of things.. ) One more thing I have learned (that I can still recall!) is: For an undergraduate beginning at the Universities, pick one where the students get a lot of one-on-one attention, and the competition isn't too high to start with (which with another language even if you're very good at it, can still be a hurtle the rest of the students haven't got to deal with). Probably a school where there's a descent resident student population too, so there's plenty of socializing and fun to keep up one's spirits. My recommendation would then be a mid-sized university, with a good teacher-to-student ratio, and a comfortable campus. If you're an arts or journalism major, look for the schools with real departments and friendly faculty that has time to share with the students. (my biased recommendation would be to apply at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; they had a great journalism department when I was there, lots of students from all over, it's a really nice campus (not too large nor noisy, with very little traffic), the setting is beautiful, and the faculty-to-student ratio is excellent. Plus, there's plenty of fun, and although it's a smaller town, it does offer plenty of partying, exercise, and shopping within the area; Minneapolis is within an hour or two away, with all the stuff any big city has to offer. OOPS! There's my sales pitch:P )University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Anyhow, wherever you go, find a niche you enjoy and go for it!!:)

Spam For The Escapist: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE]YouTube - Monty Python - Spam[/ame]

And no doubt with Spam and Eggs, Bryce..:P:laugh3: Q Monty Python - I'd give a YouTube link, but for some reason, they cause a bizarre "This Program has Performed and Illegal Operation, and Will Be Shut Down" error when I do that. Is this just my computer acting flakey, or something else?:confused:

All it takes is to ignore the people that say bad things, lest they gain attention for their sharp barbs.

Spam and Eggs, Spam, Bacon, and Eggs, Spam, Bacon, Spam, Eggs and potatoes, Spam on Rye, Pimento Spam, Spam, Spam, Bacon, Spam and Spam on Bread,... OMG! The price jumped to $4.49 for a 12 oz can at a local convenience store!! =\

450. But I want Fahrenheit 451:rolleyes:

:bulb2::idea2:Please take a look. It's easy, and might just save us all from ruin!:)

Fair Elections - The Reform that makes the other Reforms possible. Want to reassert Citizen control of our Democratic institutions in the US Republic? Tired of policies that are strong on military intervention, and short on diplomacy?? Wish special interest groups would be held in check, so the best interest of the Citizens and the Citizens of the world are served?? Had it with "politics as usual", and unfulfilled promises? Check this out, and get involved! http://www.fairelections.us/ Fair Elections

I am thinking: how nuts we are! We can have our cake, eat it too, and have enough left over to share with a thousand friends if we so choose!! The answers are so obvious, but often more obvious than we can see without first stepping back a bit and reflecting on the picture.. A world awash in plenty, and yet so many are starving; a world with enormous waste, yet better methods would have us almost drowning in a surplus, and having plenty of comfort.. A world where the possibilities are limitless, if we care enough to apply the mind and efforts in more intelligent ways.. I need to write a book about it. Seems like there's a dearth of problems, and the solutions are so obvious.. but it takes a combination of factors to bring about the change, including truly honest, intelligent representation, which I do believe is possible and essential as part of the answer.

The lord Buddha said that the quest is better than the having. It is the moment of quenching a thirst that is heavenly, after which the moment decreases, until the next thirst. Theism can be part of the journey, in that if we see a social structure where humanity is allowed to rise to a higher level of emotional and logical intelligence through a framework of social justice and support, then human greatness can be achieved. But to say one has the ideal or perfect social framework is like claiming rights to the most beautiful color, or the most ideal bird. It is often through peace and cooperation that greater intellectual ideas and works are achieved - but I think belief is important, as it provides a sense of purpose and coherence to one's life. Perhaps we are here to unravel the mysteries, test our limits, and see beyond with the creativity of the mind, buttressed by the combined wisdom of all humanity throughout the ages... Anyhow, if anything come through from the tales about Jesus, the gospels as novels, it is that here was an example of the ideals of compassion embodied in human form; here was a person willing to stand for justice knowing full well the penalty, and straitening out those who had misused the public trust. And here was the ultimate sacrifice, telling all too well the tale of abandonment by those more afraid of losing their lives than making right the wrongs in society. A tale of the pulls between our needs and wants as individuals, and the needs of society, at a time when no others dared effect real change for the public good, but one was willing to stand up for justice. Anyone who goes against the popular sentiment of the day, be that from the winds of war or the tides of fortune that pull inexorably upon humanity's coat, knows this - standing against what is wrong at a time when the forces of greed and fear and war have taken a hold on the common conscience know this feeling; it is the sacrifice that leads to the blossoming of many good things, and the highest gesture of advancing society.

She needs a bra, eh??:wink3: Well, well, well! Maybe we can help?? Someone, quick, design Gwyneth a bra!!:P

:laugh3: Good One!

:laugh3: Where there's a Will, there's a Way??:P Random Coldplay Thought: The color bands on the arms of their uniforms are the same as the fabric strips used to dampen the hammers in my piano.;)