Hello?

Does anybody still come 'round here? I know I've largely absent, but I'm still alive. Given the overall scheduling madness this time of year brings, posting will likely be light through New Year's, after which I'll try to return to posting on a more frequent basis. Until then though, I'll jump when I can.

Today is Sir Winston Churchill's birthday, born this day in 1874. Finding the time to work through Martin Gilbert's or William Manchester's multi-volume biographies on the great man can be problematic; may I recommend the Penguin Lives biography by John Keegan? Weighing in 208 small (5 X 7) pages, this book is ideal companion for a cold winter's afternoon.

Looping

As usual I have a song stuck in my hand, but for once it's not an annoying song. I'm hearing Richard Thompson's Beeswing:

Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"

It's lovely little song and I believe you can easily download it from iTunes; I highly recommend that you do so.

I've been listening to quite a bit of Thompson's music these days, so it was with pleasuere that I noticed his cover of Oops I Did It Again made The Telegraph's list of 'the 50 best cover versions ever recorded.' (Link requires registration.) I loves me some cover songs and some Johnny Cash, so it was nice to see his version of One on the list. And who knew Soft Cell's Tainted Love was a cover? Not me.

UPDATE: Head. I have a song stuck in my head, not my hand. Jaysus.

What She Said

Get thee to a pub. That is all.

Hard Day's Night

Yes, I'm still alive. And kicking. By and large I've just been too busy to post. What can I say? It's the silly season 'round here.

I'll thank you all to make note on your calendars of some upcoming - or already arrived - DVD goodness.

Last night marked the premier of Major League Baseball's 2004 World Series DVD, now available in stores everywhere. Run - don't walk - to the nearest Newbury Comics. (By the way, the linked page has a nifty photo gallery from the premier, prominently featuring two of my favorite Red Sox, Trot and the Timlinator.)

Come December 1st we can all grab our copies of NESN's DVD Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Boston Red Sox.. Oh yes precious. Oh yes indeed.

A mere two weeks (Dec 14th) later the extended edition of The Return of the King arrives.

Last, but not least, on January 25th the second season of The Wire comes available on DVD. You havent' watched The Wire? Then get busy with the first season. I like this show more than Homicide - very high praise in my book.

Big Papi Makes Me Smile

Is it spring yet?

Off the field, he made the Boston clubhouse fun again. Until he got there in 2003, it was made up mostly of growls, snarls and no-comments. Ortiz came, he laughed, he bellowed at reporters: "Nobody look at my nipples!" One time, he interrupted a press conference in Terry Francona's office before a game with Baltimore by poking his bucket-head in and declaring, "Don't worry. We're going to drink their beer and kick their ass!"

Cult Movies

Lifted from the Llama Butchers, a list of the 'top cult movies.' The ones I've seen are bolded, random comments are in italics.
1 This Is Spinal Tap - The most quotable movie ever.
2 The Rocky Horror Picture Show
3 Freaks
4 Harold And Maude
5 Pink Flamingos
6 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
7 Repo Man - Was this the last good film Emilio Estevez acted in? "There's room to move as a fry cook."
8 Scarface - I'm beginning to hold this movie responsible for Al Pacino's transformation from an actor to a scenery chewer.
9 Blade Runner Vastly under estimated during it's initial release; it's also the best film treatment of a Philip K. Dick book to date.
10 The Shawshank Redemption - One night, long ago, a young lady of my acquaintance sent me out to fetch a 'romantic comedy.' I returned with this film. You can see why my romantic history is a minefield.
11 Five Deadly Venoms
12 Plan 9 From Outer Space
13 Brazil
14 Eraserhead
15 Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
16 The Warriors - Hard to believe this film was 'controversial' when it first arrived in theaters. The depiction of gangs and gang violence seems rather quaint today.
17 Dazed And Confused
18 Hard-Boiled - Not my favorite John Woo - Chow Yun Fat collaboration, but a close second.
19 Evil Dead II
20 The Mack
21 Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
22 Un Chien Andalou
23 Akira
24 The Toxic Avenger
25 Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory - I shudder at the thought. Stick to the book.
26 Stranger Than Paradise
27 Dawn Of The Dead
28 The Wiz
29 Clerks - Mostly boring.
30 The Harder They Come
31 Slap Shot
32 Re-Animator
33 Grey Gardens
34 The Big Lebowski
35 Withnail and I
36 Showgirls
37 A Bucket Of Bood
38 They Live - This fine film - the apex of Rowdy Roddy Piper's career - deserves to be in the top ten. At least.
39 The Best Of Everything
40 Barbarella
41 Heathers - Lots of Replacement references. Dig it.
42 Rushmore
43 The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension
44 Love Streams
45 Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story
46 Aguirre, The Wrath of God
47 Walking And Talking Nicole Holofcener
48 The Decline Of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years
49 Friday
50 Faces of Death, Vol. 1
51 Monty Python and the Holy Grail - The Bible of socially anxious young men everywhere.
52 A Clockwork Orange
53 Mommie Dearest
54 The Princess Bride - Another film that should be in the top ten.
55 Swingers - Living this kind of life was much more fun than watching a movie about it. Too bad I wasn't smart enough to write a screenplay.
56 UHF
57 Valley of the Dolls
58 Fight Club - Grossly overrated. Banal.
59 Dead Alive (aka Braindead)
60 Better Off Dead - In absolutely no way does this movie deserve to be 57 spots behind The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
61 Donnie Darko

In the name of all that is good and holy, how did Roadhouse fail to make this list?

Tha Notorious G.K.C.

Submitted for your perusal - an interesting article on G.K. Chesterton (whose work has been neglected by yours truly save for some of the Fr. Brown mysteries), which includes a nod to New England's own H.P. Lovecraft:

If G.K. Chesterton was the twentieth century’s Gallant, H.P. Lovecraft was its Goofus. Chesterton imagined a God large enough to contain the devil; Lovecraft imagined a devil large enough to contain God. Read a sample of their works together—say, Chesterton’s story “The Angry Street” and Lovecraft’s similar “The Music of Erich Zann”—and you’ll see how the one’s witty rationality and the other’s howling madness go together like sweet and sour. You don’t have to believe in the God of Roman Catholicism to dig Chesterton any more than you need to believe in Cthulhu to appreciate Lovecraft. But when the two are working their magic, both ideas seem completely plausible.

Will They Maintain?

Anyone closely following the events in Holland will find this Dutch blog of great interest.

Yes, it's written in English. And most informative as well.

Belated Theater Thursday

Another piece that was originally posted yesterday, only to disappear into the maw of Blogger.

I found this set of Theater Thursday questions at Big Stupid Tommy's.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day With that in mind, this weeks questions are all about movies involving the subject of war.

1) Which war movie is your favorite? (Nothing about war could be considered a 'favorite', but ya get my meaning.)
Despite the movie's flaws, I'd have to go with Saving Private Ryan, for providing me with a vivid glimpse of the kind of sights my maternal grandfather likely whitnessed in Europe c. 1945, but never really spoke in any detail. He preferred to talk about the women in Paris, to my grandmother's dismay and my delight. Band of Brothers is not exactly a movie, but it's also a favorite for the reasons stated above.

Breaker Morant is a gem of movie, while Michael Collins is to be commended for a largely unsentimental look at an overly romanticized conflict. Hell is for Heroes might be my favorite Steve McQueen flick
2) What movie about war do you consider to be 'unwatchable', poorly done, or of poor taste?
While I had my criticisms of Gods and Generals I wouldn't call it 'unwatchable'. Offhand I can't think of a war movie that outright detested, though many (hello Windtalkers) have disappointed.

3) Which actor/actress gave the best performance as a soldier? What movie?
Sam Elliot in We Were Soldiers. Sam Elliot is solid. I think it's his voice.
Tom Sizemore in Saving Private Ryan.

Sindarin Satire

I like Michael Moore every bit as much as I like Rush Limbaugh.

Which is to say I'd greatly enjoy bum rushing his fat ass out a ten story window.

Which is why this looks oh so entertaining.

A Thank You

Another fun thing Blogger has taken to doing is eating my posts. Sometimes I am a clever Silver Fox and save them to Word as a precaution. Othertimes I am a sad Silver Fox and weep as my precious post vanishes into the electronic ether.

One post that was devoured yesterday included a link to a post by Heather thanking a specific veteran.

It is to Laugh

Today's funny:

Hello. I am the Thomas Kinkade in your mind. I hope you are feeling cozy in your quaint thatched cottage with the mossy stone wall that runs alongside it set amid rolling patchwork hills.

Six Degrees of Suckitude

In case you were wondering, the reason posting has been rather sparse over the last few weeks is that Blogger has been shitting the bed on an increasingly frequent basis. Posting even this short missive is a colossal pain the ass.

A Letter

I have posted this before, but I think it is appropriate to re-post it today.

The following is a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou, of the Second Regiment of the Rhode Island Volunteers, on July 14th, 1861.

My very dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure -- and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows -- when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children -- is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death -- and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.

I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles I have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me -- perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar -- that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night -- amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours -- always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.

As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

Maj. Sullivan Ballou was killed in action along with twenty-seven of his men, one week after writing the above letter, at the Battle of First Manassas on July 21, 1861. He was thirty two years old. Sarah Ballou was twenty-four when her husband died. She never re-married and died at the age of eighty in 1917.

Connections

My brain is a stew of data, awash with little bits of information floating about my skull. Everytime I read I'm in effect pouring more ingredients into the stew. Often the result is that all the ingredients, old and new, are stirred together, and random flavors bubble to the surface in the form of odd thoughts or connections.

Yes, it's true: Obscurorant is the official home of awkward metaphors.

Anyway, as of late I've been indulging my love (read: obsessive interest) in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. I recently finished Tolkien: A Celebration (a collection of essays) and I'm currently working my way through T.A. Shippey's J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century. Now anyone with more than a passing interest in Tolkien is aware that not only did he create the world of Middle-Earth and it's long history, he created whole languages to be spoken by the inhabitants, foremost among them the Elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin. Throughout The Lord of the Rings the reader comes across passages of untranslated Elvish, such as this poem:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
Silivren penna miriel
O menal aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-diriel
O galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

However, there are precious few instances of untranslated Dwarvish (Khuzdul) in Tolkien's pages. One of two exceptions* occurs during the siege of Helm's Deep. Aragorn and Eomer make a sally against the Uruk-Hai and nearly come to grief before being rescued by Gimli. As Gimli works his axe he shouts a battle cry of:

"Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!"

This passage translates as:

"Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!"

I found this to be strikingly similar to the battlecry of the Ghurkas, Nepalese mercenaries who have served in the British Army from the 19th century to the present day. The battle cry of the Ghurkas is Ayo Ghorkali, which can be translated as:

"The Ghurkas are upon you!"

This is where the fun part of conjecture and making connections comes into play. Did Tolkien have the Ghurkas in mind when he crafted the above dialogue for Gimli? It may be far fetched, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Consider that...

Tolkien himself was a veteran of the British Army, serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Battle of the Somme. Is it a reach to imagine that while in the army he learned of the Ghurkas and their traditions, perhaps from another officer who had served with the Ghurka Brigade?

During the First World War the Ghurkas saw action in many theaters, including the Western Front. I don't know if any Ghurka units were involved in the Somme offensive of 1916, but the 8th Ghurkas did serve with great distinction in the Battle of Loos in the autumn of 1915 Tolkien arrived in France in June of 1916: could he have then heard of the Ghurkas action at Loos the prior year? Another possible juncture at which Tolkien and the Ghurkas (or at least knowledge of the Ghurkas) may have crossed paths?

A final, though completely conjectural thought: the Ghurkas are a people short in stature, known for their ferocity in battle and use of a particular edged weapon (the khukri). The Dwarves are also a people short in stature, known for their ferocity in battle and use of a particular edged weapon (the axe).

All coincidence? Very likely, but it's fun to entertain such notions.

Adios Tek

And so it begins, the free agent exodus from the 2004 Red Sox. In a conversation with WEEI this morning Scott Boras, agent for Jason Varitek, revealed the the kind of deal the catcher is seeking: five years, $50 million, and a no-trade clause. These are terms that the Red Sox are unlikely to meet, their offer to Varitek being a reported $24 million over 3 years.

Scott Boras offered a predictable spin on the situation:

"He actually gave Boston one of his free agent years, signed a contract there that was, I think, very club oriented, and he's been very loyal to the Red Sox. When he became a free agent, this is the time in his career when he has to concern himself with his family."

Family. Right. Of course. They must be suffering terribly; no doubt the $14.9 million Varitek made over the past three years simply does not go very far.

That kind of nonsense drives me batshit crazy. I don't begrudge a player the chance to sign a $50 million contract any more than I begrudge an actor taking $20 million to appear in a film - it's how the market works. What I do loathe is the kind disingenous posturing that would have us believe that a total of $38 million earned over six years is not enough to support one's family. Kindly leave off insulting my intelligence Mr. Boras and simply state the truth: you and your client are seeking the best (read: biggest) contract possible under the existing market conditions.

Coming Up For Air

I did manage to get some reading done over the past couple of months. Short reviews will follow some time in the future.

65. The Crusader - Michael Alexander Eisner
66. Grimmer Than Hell - David Drake
67. The Victorians - A.N. Wilson
68. Firehouse - David Halberstam
69. The Teeth of the Tiger - Tom Clancy
70. Hornblower During the Crisis - C.S. Forester
71. Betting on Myself - Steven Crist
72. Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn
73. The Dark Valley: A Panorama of the 1930s - Piers Brandon
74. Artifact of Evil - Gary Gygax
75. Grass For His Pillow - Lian Hearn
76. Tolkien: A Celebration - Joseph Pearce (ed)
77. Brilliance of the Moon - Lian Hearn

Counting 'Em Down

My brain is full. Full as in lurching away from the Thanksgiving (or any other holiday feast) meal, staggering to a couch and lapsing into a food coma. Full due to a sensory overload from baseball's post-season and the hideous din that accompanied the climax of election 2004. This simple exercise, courtesy of Cheddar X, is just the thing to (slowly) get the juices flowing again.

Ten movies you'd watch over and over: Star Wars (original only please), Casablanca, The Princess Bride, This Is Spinal Tap, The Killer, Saving Private Ryan, Super Troopers, The Wild Bunch, The Godfather, Mad Max.
Nine people you enjoy the company of: Heather, The Bunny, my sister, the Understanding Girlfriend, Snuggles, Geoff, John, Bob, Mom.
Eight things you're wearing: sneakers, socks, boxers, pants, belt, t-shirt, sweater, deodorant.
Seven things on your mind: Will Red Sox resign Petey? Will the Red Sox resign Varitek? Exactly how enraged will I be if 'Tek signs with the MFYs? Who the hell is going to be our shortstop next year? What book should I read next? What should I do for dinner tonight? What's going on this weekend?
Six objects you touch every day: keys, pocket knife, cell phone, wallet, toothbrush, book.
Five things you do every day: wake up, shave, shower, have coffee, read.
Four bands (etc) that you couldn't live without:The Replacements, X, Johnny Cash, The Beatles .
Three of your favorite songs at this moment: I Feel So Good (Richard Thompson), Turn It On (Sleater-Kinney), Swinging Party (the Replacements).
Two people who have influenced your life the most: Mom n' Dad.
One person who you love more than anyone in the world: Silly question. Love can rarely, if ever, be quantified like that.

Got Your Ears On?

Petey and Big Papi, courtesy of the good folks at Surviving Grady.

Really, I can't think of anything to say. I don't think it's necessary to say anything; this goofy ass picture says it all.