lollardfish

NY Times reviews the new Guthrie in Minneapolis.

I really dislike this kind of writing. On the other hand, writing compellingly about architects and architecture is difficult, as one has to put into words the "feelings" that space is supposed to evoke. On the other other hand, I like food writing that has to describe tastes and textures, so good architectural writing should be doable. On yet another hand (can I borrow yours, please), there is plenty of art historical writing that I find thoroughly compelling, so maybe it's just this author.

When I was a kid playing soccer, my coaches (including my dad) had a few rules on defense. Kick towards the sidelines. Don't dribble the ball around your penalty box - get it out of there. Clear it out of bounds if there's any risk, especially if you're back alone.

Both of Ghana's goals in the first half came on plays that violated these basic rules, as did the second Czech goal.

You might think This picture of an English footballer is about sports.

It's actually a nicely solid medieval crusader image of the soldier drenched in a cross of blood.

Though I like This apron.

Brazilian soccer players tend to go by one single name. Cafu, Ronaldo, Ronaldino, and so forth (like Pele). Actually, many Brazilians just go by one name.

Anyway, Brazil's second goal today was scored by a player whose one name is: Fred.

This makes me happy.

The girl and I could use a printer, if someone is looking to upgrade theirs in the near future. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Yes, I know, they're cheap. I'm waiting to buy a better one in the fall when I have a paycheck again.

I'm awake.

Spectacular night last night.

Borderlands, literally, never sounded as good.

Thanks so much to those who came, those who played, those who hosted, and Mark who ran sound.

I really shouldn't be awake.

Premise: Democrats win elections when they are about health care, education, environment. Republicans win elections when they are about gay marriage, abortion.

National security right now is a toss-up (typically Republican, but support on Iraq extremely low).
Taxes are a toss-up (everyone likes lower taxes, but deficits high enough to raise concern for fiscal conservatives.

Problem: The gay-marriage ammendment is clearly an attempt to push the debate into a Republican side.

Solution: Democrats should say, when asked about gay-marriage, "The founding fathers wrote the Constitution to protect freedoms, not take them away. No further comment."

Better one-line answers?

I think I just ordered a new Italian textbook for $1.50. Well, used. Plus shipping. But the nice thing about just wanting a textbook is that I don't need the new $100 version, but can buy an old edition.

Listening to Springsteen's album of Seeger songs ... (which means American folk songs, not stuff Seeger wrote, but stuff Seeger recorded and made his own).

15 miles on the Erie Canal...
We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal and hay

And I thought, my commodities class needs a soundtrack. Help! Please recommend songs. I'm not bothered if they aren't the exact commodity, but if they address the kind of commodity I'm talking about. Like for Cod, Stan Rogers' "Tiny Fish from Japan." It's not about Cod at all, but that's kind of the point (the overfishing of the Grand Banks). Where I have dual commodities, I'd be happy to have two songs.

And feel free to recommend better songs for things I've already listed. My goal is to find songs that deal with commodity. Not just an item. But humor is good too. These need not be modern songs, but I do need to be able to find recordings of them.

1a. Cod: "Tiny Fish from Japan" - Stan Rogers
1b. Salt:
2a. Silk: "China Girl" - David Bowie (just to be Orientalist).
2b. Horses:
3a. Fur:
3b. Soldiers (Mercenaries): "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" - Warren Zevon
4a. Alcohol: Help. What's the perfect beer/whisky/etc as commodity song. TOO MANY CHOICES
4b. Grain: "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" - Arrogant Worms
5a. Religion: "Missionary Man" - Eurythmics
5b. Sin: "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" - Charlie Daniels Band
6a. Spice:
6b. Power:
7a. Gold and Silver: "Money" - Pink Floyd
7b. Coinage:
8a. Sugar:
8b. Rum:
9a. Tobacco:
9b. Timber: "Erie Canal" - Bruce Springsteen
10a. Wool:
10b. Cotton: "Cotton Fields" - CCR
11a. Slavery
12a. Tea: "Two for Tea" - ??? and/or "Pennyroyal Tea" - Nirvana
12b. Opium

If I came into town FRIDAY night with a truck filled with my Northfield belongings, are there folks who could help me unload it into the new house?

Time would be around 6:00 at a guess (after work).

Belongings include:

2 bookshelves
1 (empty) file cabinet
1 desk
1 dresser
Surprisingly few but still many boxes of books.
A few suitcases of clothes.

No need to post apologies if you can't make it, just wondering if its worth me trying to do this. New house is 54th and Xerxes.

EDIT - changed to Friday. Yes, I know Wiscon.