Lies, lies, lies. Merriam-Webster defines a lie as both of the following: "to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive" and "to create a false or misleading impression". I'm not going to blather on like I normally do about how much everyone lies. But looking at this definition, wouldn't you say that there are a lot more people who lie than you thought before you read this?
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Got an opinion? What is it?]
old thepete.com blog
moral compass online since 1998
Monday, March 29, 1999
MELISSA, YOU CLEVER GIRL!
Well, Melissa, the evil virus has zipped about the internet causing all sorts of havoc. Including enough havoc to force Microsoft to shut down their email servers. HA! Well, for all of Melissa's cleverness she's not quite the girl the media makes her out to be. First off, once the word gets out that all of her subject headers read "important message from". EVERYbody knows that any email with THAT in it's subject header knows well that it is most likely SPAM and therefore trash-worthy. And do most people just open files that suddenly appear in their attachment folder without knowing what they are? If you're a moron you do. I don't - I don't care if it does end up being cool - better safe than sorry. Just delete the damn thing, period the end. That's how you deal with ALL viri. So there - take that Mr. Norton. SHEESH!
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
ABC'S NEW HITS
As IF!
BOTH of ABC's "hits" are nothing of the sort.
They did well in their opening night because of NAME recognition and THAT'S IT! "It's Like, You Know" was over-hyped as an LA version of "Seinfeld". But why do you think "Seinfeld" went off the air? THEY RAN OUT OF GAGS. And so will "It's Like, You Know", only much sooner, unless they start ripping off old Seinfeld scripts. Which they will have to do because LA is not THAT interesting a place - I should know, I live here.
AS for "The Norm Show" - oh please, this show is the pits! It's jokes were flat and stupid. Laurie Metcalf is TOTALLY wasted on this show. Norm McDonald is one of the best straight men around and what does the pilot script have him do? Crack jokes left and right instead of being the dry, sarcastic guy we liked on SNL. Mark my words, both shows ratings will drop like rocks because after watching the first episodes of each show, viewers know just how incredibly crappy they are. Just watch - the ratings not these shows.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Have you seen them? What did you think?]
BOTH of ABC's "hits" are nothing of the sort.
They did well in their opening night because of NAME recognition and THAT'S IT! "It's Like, You Know" was over-hyped as an LA version of "Seinfeld". But why do you think "Seinfeld" went off the air? THEY RAN OUT OF GAGS. And so will "It's Like, You Know", only much sooner, unless they start ripping off old Seinfeld scripts. Which they will have to do because LA is not THAT interesting a place - I should know, I live here.
AS for "The Norm Show" - oh please, this show is the pits! It's jokes were flat and stupid. Laurie Metcalf is TOTALLY wasted on this show. Norm McDonald is one of the best straight men around and what does the pilot script have him do? Crack jokes left and right instead of being the dry, sarcastic guy we liked on SNL. Mark my words, both shows ratings will drop like rocks because after watching the first episodes of each show, viewers know just how incredibly crappy they are. Just watch - the ratings not these shows.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Have you seen them? What did you think?]
AGAINST NATO IN KOSOVO?
I drove past a protest recently - a group of people held signs up high in the air that read: "KOSOVO=VIETNAM". I wasn't alive when the whole Vietnam-thing started, so I'm not sure how I can comment on that, but I must say that we do have damn good reasons to be there. I read an article on cnn.com a couple of days before that. It was about day three of the NATO bombing raids when reports were coming in that thousands of women and children were streaming across the border into Macedonia.
JUST women and children.
It seemed as though there were NO men between the ages of 16 and 60. Not one. I think it's pretty safe to assume that the Serbs hadn't exactly recruited them to serve in the Serbian army. We are staring down the nose of another Hitler. This guy is evil as sin and he's got to be stopped. What's worse about the whole thing is that it's not about religion. It's about culture.
Think of it like this - the blokes in the next town over from you have a rivalry with your football team. Theirs is better and to prove it, they're going to kill you. From what I've read, it appears that the disputes are that simple. What do you do when you see a 5 year-old beating up on his sister? If we are to listen to the protesters I drove by, I'd have to assume that they would have us just stand by and let the boy kill his sister. It's none of our business, right? We are all siblings on this planet. If you want to stand by, more interested in your own petty little problems, like smog, and drug abuse, fine. Just remember, people in what used to be Yugoslavia don't give a crap about you either - they're too busy ducking.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
JUST women and children.
It seemed as though there were NO men between the ages of 16 and 60. Not one. I think it's pretty safe to assume that the Serbs hadn't exactly recruited them to serve in the Serbian army. We are staring down the nose of another Hitler. This guy is evil as sin and he's got to be stopped. What's worse about the whole thing is that it's not about religion. It's about culture.
Think of it like this - the blokes in the next town over from you have a rivalry with your football team. Theirs is better and to prove it, they're going to kill you. From what I've read, it appears that the disputes are that simple. What do you do when you see a 5 year-old beating up on his sister? If we are to listen to the protesters I drove by, I'd have to assume that they would have us just stand by and let the boy kill his sister. It's none of our business, right? We are all siblings on this planet. If you want to stand by, more interested in your own petty little problems, like smog, and drug abuse, fine. Just remember, people in what used to be Yugoslavia don't give a crap about you either - they're too busy ducking.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
Sunday, March 21, 1999
WHY DO WE PUT UP WITH IT?
As you may be able to tell by reading this page (or almost anything else by me), I live and work in Hollywood. A lot of people look at me funny and ask how I can admit to being part of this heinous crap-machine that is the Entertainment Industry? I agree that this place is one of the largest purveyors of fine, steaming loads of buffalo dung and believe it or not, THAT'S why I'm here. No, it's not so that I can lend my buttocks to the great drive to create more methane that the planet can support.
The reason I am here is simple. I really, truly, honestly believe that I can (at least start to) change the way this industry works. I have, in many ways, adopted something that MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 creator JOEL HODGESON once said about the jokes he had on his show.
"We don't worry if people will get the jokes, we know that the right people will get the jokes."
Here's how I apply this sentiment to my life. When I am in a position to have reasonable control over a project I am working on, I will tell the story I think needs to be told the way I think it needs to be told. I won't worry about ratings or censors or sponsors or anyone/thing else.
Alas, I am not in that position yet.
Until I am, I will do my best to exert my will on any projects I work on, but dealing with people as schizophrenic as the folks are here, sometimes, compromise is a necessary evil in order to keep working. Once I get fairly stable, then I will start to really push the envelope. I will NOT get all conservative and protective of the wealth and reputation I have obtained, as almost ALL of the people in this town have done.
The idea of life is to push beyond boundaries. But I strongly believe that you can't change the rules until you prove to the establishment that you can follow them. Besides, it's much easier to create a new building if you quietly slide in to the old building un-noticed. Once inside, you then work on gaining the present owners trust, so when you tell them you want to tear it down and put up a new one, they won't be as resistant. Just my theory.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Got an opinion? What is it?]
The reason I am here is simple. I really, truly, honestly believe that I can (at least start to) change the way this industry works. I have, in many ways, adopted something that MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 creator JOEL HODGESON once said about the jokes he had on his show.
"We don't worry if people will get the jokes, we know that the right people will get the jokes."
Here's how I apply this sentiment to my life. When I am in a position to have reasonable control over a project I am working on, I will tell the story I think needs to be told the way I think it needs to be told. I won't worry about ratings or censors or sponsors or anyone/thing else.
Alas, I am not in that position yet.
Until I am, I will do my best to exert my will on any projects I work on, but dealing with people as schizophrenic as the folks are here, sometimes, compromise is a necessary evil in order to keep working. Once I get fairly stable, then I will start to really push the envelope. I will NOT get all conservative and protective of the wealth and reputation I have obtained, as almost ALL of the people in this town have done.
The idea of life is to push beyond boundaries. But I strongly believe that you can't change the rules until you prove to the establishment that you can follow them. Besides, it's much easier to create a new building if you quietly slide in to the old building un-noticed. Once inside, you then work on gaining the present owners trust, so when you tell them you want to tear it down and put up a new one, they won't be as resistant. Just my theory.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Got an opinion? What is it?]
DAMN YOU, HEWLITT PACKARD!
Well, HP strikes again!
Last spring I had to replace the HP 500C desk jet printer that had served me so well since my father gave it to me back in 1993. I figured five years was a pretty good shelf life so, I decided I would buy Hewlett Packard again. I spent substantially less than my father spent in 1993 (I think he spent around $400 and I spent $250 in 1998) and boy did I get a lot less of a printer!
For a while it printed beautifully - but after about two months it started getting a bit flaky. Streaks began appearing on the text, making them look as though the letters had been put in a wind tunnel. Now, I had problems with my HP PC (which I eventually returned) and I didn't want to go through the same crap I did last year with them, so I've put off calling them up. But at this point I think I will, just to yell. I mean, how can they do this? How can they put out a machine that churns out CRAP???
How am I supposed to use this thing for work if every script I print out has ink streaks all over it?
I really do think we humans are our own worst enemy. HP claims to be really good about customer service. I am beginning to believe that only PR people at HP and victims of HP propaganda share this sentiment because THEY SUCK! If you buy anything computer-ish, DON'T BUY HP!
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
Last spring I had to replace the HP 500C desk jet printer that had served me so well since my father gave it to me back in 1993. I figured five years was a pretty good shelf life so, I decided I would buy Hewlett Packard again. I spent substantially less than my father spent in 1993 (I think he spent around $400 and I spent $250 in 1998) and boy did I get a lot less of a printer!
For a while it printed beautifully - but after about two months it started getting a bit flaky. Streaks began appearing on the text, making them look as though the letters had been put in a wind tunnel. Now, I had problems with my HP PC (which I eventually returned) and I didn't want to go through the same crap I did last year with them, so I've put off calling them up. But at this point I think I will, just to yell. I mean, how can they do this? How can they put out a machine that churns out CRAP???
How am I supposed to use this thing for work if every script I print out has ink streaks all over it?
I really do think we humans are our own worst enemy. HP claims to be really good about customer service. I am beginning to believe that only PR people at HP and victims of HP propaganda share this sentiment because THEY SUCK! If you buy anything computer-ish, DON'T BUY HP!
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
I KNOW WHAT THE MATRIX IS - BIG DEAL!
I have a friend, etc, etc, who got my girlfriend and I in to see one of the press screenings of THE MATRIX this past weekend and I must say it was both what I expected and not. It was loud, fun, at times silly at other times (and fewer times) positively mind-bending in a good way. I'd recommend it as a Saturday afternoon matinee deal where you don't pay full price. It was visually stunning and best seen on the best screen in the best theater you can get to.
However, it was very long (pushing 2 hours 30 minutes) and although some of the visuals were VERY impressive, some could have been cut. The plot is complex and interesting until its complexities begin to weigh down the pace. About halfway through I had figured out how things were going to go and started getting really bored waiting for them to happen. Overall, see it - it was visually stunning and has some fairly kick ass fight sequences, just don't pay full price.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Have you seen it? What did you think? If not, do you think it will be good?]
However, it was very long (pushing 2 hours 30 minutes) and although some of the visuals were VERY impressive, some could have been cut. The plot is complex and interesting until its complexities begin to weigh down the pace. About halfway through I had figured out how things were going to go and started getting really bored waiting for them to happen. Overall, see it - it was visually stunning and has some fairly kick ass fight sequences, just don't pay full price.
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|Have you seen it? What did you think? If not, do you think it will be good?]
AWARDING PRIVATE RYAN?
As I type this, the Academy Awards are being held - I am NOT watching them.
It's just who I am. The reason this is who I am, is material for another bitch entirely. My point in mentioning this is that I don't know if SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is getting any awards. I am curious - should it get awards at all? Should we reward a film that displays human death in a way never seen before on the silver screen? Yes, the images in this film are incredibly powerful. But that's all that were powerful.
The images.
Men disintegrating, being stabbed slowly to death, being engulfed in flame, etc. THIS is what we took away from this movie that was unique from any other film. Did the film give us an incredibly realistic depiction of war?
If it did, does this mean it was a well made film?
I thought films that won for "Best Picture" were supposed to be good films. Where EVERYTHING in the movie was well done. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN fell short on so many levels in regards to the actual making of a good film. Sure, it made the point that war is hell, but was it too much to ask of Mr. Spielberg to give us a good story, too? And why is the point that war is hell in such need of being made? Haven't ten or fifteen films in the past been able to say the same thing?
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think]
It's just who I am. The reason this is who I am, is material for another bitch entirely. My point in mentioning this is that I don't know if SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is getting any awards. I am curious - should it get awards at all? Should we reward a film that displays human death in a way never seen before on the silver screen? Yes, the images in this film are incredibly powerful. But that's all that were powerful.
The images.
Men disintegrating, being stabbed slowly to death, being engulfed in flame, etc. THIS is what we took away from this movie that was unique from any other film. Did the film give us an incredibly realistic depiction of war?
If it did, does this mean it was a well made film?
I thought films that won for "Best Picture" were supposed to be good films. Where EVERYTHING in the movie was well done. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN fell short on so many levels in regards to the actual making of a good film. Sure, it made the point that war is hell, but was it too much to ask of Mr. Spielberg to give us a good story, too? And why is the point that war is hell in such need of being made? Haven't ten or fifteen films in the past been able to say the same thing?
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think]
Sunday, March 14, 1999
WHY DO WE OBSSESS?!?
If you happened by the Funnies Page, here at spinninghead.com, you may have read my comic strip "Alien Boy" where Alien Boy is literally surrounded by Monica Lewinsky's presence in today's media.
There's the obvious, her new book. There's the almost as obvious, her massive interview on ABC TV. Then, there's the less than obvious. Monica Lewinsky has inspired more than a few web sites. Most of them seem to be sarcastic in nature, which I generally don't have a problem with. It's not that I don't think she deserves it - Monica is a vacuous, self-important, immature little girl in the body of a 24 year-old woman. But at this point, the fun is over. The President of our fine country hung her out to dry, she got him back (inadvertently, granted) but now, IT'S OVER.
She's no longer letting Clinton stick cigars or anything else where the sun don't shine (or anywhere else!). I think people who pick on Monica are SERIOUSLY wasting their time. I mean - look around us - there are SO MANY MORE DESERVING TARGETS!! I mean, let's target the true trouble spots, let's not waste our time, energy and wit on this silly little person who went to the same high school as Brandon and Dylan on Beverly Hills, 90210. Let's move on, SHALL WE? Got an opinion? [http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What is it?]
There's the obvious, her new book. There's the almost as obvious, her massive interview on ABC TV. Then, there's the less than obvious. Monica Lewinsky has inspired more than a few web sites. Most of them seem to be sarcastic in nature, which I generally don't have a problem with. It's not that I don't think she deserves it - Monica is a vacuous, self-important, immature little girl in the body of a 24 year-old woman. But at this point, the fun is over. The President of our fine country hung her out to dry, she got him back (inadvertently, granted) but now, IT'S OVER.
She's no longer letting Clinton stick cigars or anything else where the sun don't shine (or anywhere else!). I think people who pick on Monica are SERIOUSLY wasting their time. I mean - look around us - there are SO MANY MORE DESERVING TARGETS!! I mean, let's target the true trouble spots, let's not waste our time, energy and wit on this silly little person who went to the same high school as Brandon and Dylan on Beverly Hills, 90210. Let's move on, SHALL WE? Got an opinion? [http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What is it?]
TV REPLACED BY THE 'NET?
Recently, CNN asked the riveting question "Will the Net kill network TV?". Can you hear the musical sting?
Like this is the question on every netizens' mind.
Woooo, might there be a day soon when the best shows will be on the web instead of the TV?
Well, honestly, that doesn't require much of a stretch of the imagination looking at the glut of crap on the air. And hey - no worries about ratings on the net, right? Producing stuff for the web is infinitely cheaper than for TV or even cable TV!
I WELCOME THIS DAY LIKE NO OTHER! LET'S MOVE TOWARD THIS DAY SOON!!!
Let's remove the power from the almighty Nielsen Families who have robbed us of many WONDERFUL programs thanks to the IDIOTS out there watching MARRIED WITH CHILDREN or THAT 70s SHOW. Will TV be replaced by the 'Net? It may seem like an unimportant question, but if the answer is yes, do you realize that even YOU could have your own show?
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
Like this is the question on every netizens' mind.
Woooo, might there be a day soon when the best shows will be on the web instead of the TV?
Well, honestly, that doesn't require much of a stretch of the imagination looking at the glut of crap on the air. And hey - no worries about ratings on the net, right? Producing stuff for the web is infinitely cheaper than for TV or even cable TV!
I WELCOME THIS DAY LIKE NO OTHER! LET'S MOVE TOWARD THIS DAY SOON!!!
Let's remove the power from the almighty Nielsen Families who have robbed us of many WONDERFUL programs thanks to the IDIOTS out there watching MARRIED WITH CHILDREN or THAT 70s SHOW. Will TV be replaced by the 'Net? It may seem like an unimportant question, but if the answer is yes, do you realize that even YOU could have your own show?
[http://www.guestbook.de/yasg.cgi?X=75379#top|What do you think?]
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