You may have read about how Calvin College in Michigan cancelled an upcoming New Pornographers show on campus because of the band's name.
I have to say, I was hoping to be more entertained by their reasoning and official statements (the school's, I mean), but really, it sounds like they basically said, "Listen, we know their music is inoffensive, we tried to tell our influential faculty/boosters/parents/whomever that same thing, but they were unwilling or unable to listen. We apologize for their ignorance."
Check it out here: http://pitchfork.com/news/40053-christian-college-cancels-new-pornographers-concert-because-of-the-bands-name/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Live from Fes
I promised several folks I'd update from Fes, Morocco, where I'll be for the better part of three months. I'll be studying Arabic at ALIF (www.alif-fes.com) and hopefully doing a little research to help with PhD applications.
I arrived on Saturday night and lugged a truly massive backpack -- there should've been a picture -- across the Ville Nouvelle from the train station to the Hotel Savoy. I rinsed out my shirt in the sink, changed into some shorts, and went for a stroll before settling down to eat tajine kefta at Cafe 24/24, which lured me in with promises of La Liga games being broadcast in Arabic.
The next day, Sunday, I decided to take on the infamous Fes medina, the old walled city. I've toured the medina four times, by my count, and each time had literally no idea where I was going. Each time was with a guide, however, which makes life quite easy but also means you inevitably end up stuck in a few rug shops on the way. This time I had the Rough Guide map, and it more or less got me to the spectacular blue-tiled Bab Boujeloud in relatively short order ("bab" = door or gate in Arabic). Its the most famous bab in Fes, and the most common medina entrance. I walked one of the two main drags for a while before setting off down a side street. Once you commit to turning off, you have to accept that you will most likely not find your way back. Streets make odd turns, and ones that appear to go due south, for example, will inexplicably turn east and continue. It's also quite hilly so you can't always see what happens at the top of the crest or where the street goes.
It is, however, truly spectacular and in all my medina walks there is nothing like it at all. I eventually was dumped out on the far south side of time, well beyond the Bab Ftouh and made my way around the city, eventually ending up under the Borj Sud, a watchtower where guides take tourists to get a full grasp of the size and scope of the medina. I ate a picnic lunch in a small cafe before leaving the medina. It was packed with men of all ages glued to the TV, watching the C movie "Drive" (seen it, anyone?), drinking sodas and smoking kif in the back corners.
I'm finally settled in to what is basically a dorm: an old late 19th century villa converted to 14 rooms with shared showers and a kitchen, filled with students at my language school. I have a double but no roommate as of yet. Its quite nice though -- we have wireless so Judy and I have been able to skype regularly, the kitchen is stocked with cookware, and there's a TV with literally 300 channels including Tamazight (Berber) TV, TV Chad, and a bazillion from Egypt and the Gulf. MTV Lebanon. Dubai Horse Racing. You name it. All in Arabic (save BBC World and a couple French ones).
Off to class today. I'm the only person in my section, we'll see how that goes. Looking forward to getting to work.
And I can't close without a Skins mention. Yes, I saw the highlights on ESPN.com and Judy filled me in on everything. Unbelievable. I wore my hat with pride yesterday.
I arrived on Saturday night and lugged a truly massive backpack -- there should've been a picture -- across the Ville Nouvelle from the train station to the Hotel Savoy. I rinsed out my shirt in the sink, changed into some shorts, and went for a stroll before settling down to eat tajine kefta at Cafe 24/24, which lured me in with promises of La Liga games being broadcast in Arabic.
The next day, Sunday, I decided to take on the infamous Fes medina, the old walled city. I've toured the medina four times, by my count, and each time had literally no idea where I was going. Each time was with a guide, however, which makes life quite easy but also means you inevitably end up stuck in a few rug shops on the way. This time I had the Rough Guide map, and it more or less got me to the spectacular blue-tiled Bab Boujeloud in relatively short order ("bab" = door or gate in Arabic). Its the most famous bab in Fes, and the most common medina entrance. I walked one of the two main drags for a while before setting off down a side street. Once you commit to turning off, you have to accept that you will most likely not find your way back. Streets make odd turns, and ones that appear to go due south, for example, will inexplicably turn east and continue. It's also quite hilly so you can't always see what happens at the top of the crest or where the street goes.
It is, however, truly spectacular and in all my medina walks there is nothing like it at all. I eventually was dumped out on the far south side of time, well beyond the Bab Ftouh and made my way around the city, eventually ending up under the Borj Sud, a watchtower where guides take tourists to get a full grasp of the size and scope of the medina. I ate a picnic lunch in a small cafe before leaving the medina. It was packed with men of all ages glued to the TV, watching the C movie "Drive" (seen it, anyone?), drinking sodas and smoking kif in the back corners.
I'm finally settled in to what is basically a dorm: an old late 19th century villa converted to 14 rooms with shared showers and a kitchen, filled with students at my language school. I have a double but no roommate as of yet. Its quite nice though -- we have wireless so Judy and I have been able to skype regularly, the kitchen is stocked with cookware, and there's a TV with literally 300 channels including Tamazight (Berber) TV, TV Chad, and a bazillion from Egypt and the Gulf. MTV Lebanon. Dubai Horse Racing. You name it. All in Arabic (save BBC World and a couple French ones).
Off to class today. I'm the only person in my section, we'll see how that goes. Looking forward to getting to work.
And I can't close without a Skins mention. Yes, I saw the highlights on ESPN.com and Judy filled me in on everything. Unbelievable. I wore my hat with pride yesterday.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Superchunk doing "In Between Days"
Still following the AV Club's Undercover series? You oughta be. Not a bad one in the bunch that I've seen.
Superchunk doing the Cure's "In Between Days" might be one of the best. Check it out, and one little chunk of food for thought I never picked up on: Wilco kinda rip the intro, just before the first verse, on "Pot Kettle Black".
Superchunk covers The Cure
Superchunk doing the Cure's "In Between Days" might be one of the best. Check it out, and one little chunk of food for thought I never picked up on: Wilco kinda rip the intro, just before the first verse, on "Pot Kettle Black".
Superchunk covers The Cure
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Wouldn't mind if I could find a little electrocution
It is just under 90 degrees here on historic Capitol Hill. Eastern Market's full of tomatoes sure to make Coach Rich Brooks envious, and here's a song for the occasion: Nada Surf's cover of the Bill Fox song "Electrocution."
It's breezy, got just enough guitar drive below the thick harmonies, a propulsive beat that owes a hat tip to the great Jody Stephens.
Enjoy:
Nada Surf - "Electrocution" (Bill Fox cover)
It's breezy, got just enough guitar drive below the thick harmonies, a propulsive beat that owes a hat tip to the great Jody Stephens.
Enjoy:
Nada Surf - "Electrocution" (Bill Fox cover)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Baltic-ization
related to balkanization, but not really:
Baltic-ization: when one regularly confuses a group of adjacent countries that one has great difficulty telling apart.
Baltic-ization: when one regularly confuses a group of adjacent countries that one has great difficulty telling apart.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
This is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams
an oldie, but a classic, especially this time of year:
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Live blog of a taped Germany-Spain game
This game has long since ended, but I'm watching at home for the first time and happy to say that I've managed for the second day in a row to have no knowledge of the result whatsoever. A difficult task but I've survived.
Minute 7 - An innocuous looking pass slips behind all the Germans and Villa gets there first but shoots right at Neuer. Does Germany want the ball? They've barely had it for thirty seconds so far.
9 - "still at the sparring stage of this semifinal". Martin Tyler's excellence is still striking, deep into the tournament. Let's hope he gets the final and we don't have to listen to Harkes.
11 - Alonso nearly had the assist of the tournament trying to split the center backs for Villa there. Just missed, Iniesta nearly cleaned up the scraps with some quick footwork.
13 - What a chance for Puyol. Driven cross from Iniesta was perfect, diving header from the well-coiffed defender flew over the top.
15 - Pique needlessly gave up a corner, and Casillas barely flapped at it. Germany got a second and his punch was more decisive that time around. Germany's first real attack.
25 - Pedro played a ball to Villa in the box. He was well defended but his movement so far has looked as sharp as usual. Good runs from him. Germany haven't really come into the game yet.
30 - I liked Alonso's strike from distance there. A good effort. You've got to try.
31 - Did Schweinsteiger always play such a holding role? Admittedly I've been tuned out, but didn't he used to be more of an attacking mid?
32 - ooh, a blast from Trochowski just tipped wide by Casillas. Spain look kinda shaky defending set pieces, but otherwise they've been well organized.
44 - game gotten a little chippy but on the whole its been very well played, very clean, not a lot of gamesmanship. Thank goodness.
45 - Some quick moves in the box from Pedro but he can't quite lose his defenders. Should've just ripped it. Kinda typical Spain there.
45 - whoa whoa should that have been a penalty? The ref was on the spot. Lets see the replay. A busy last minute - a Spain counter attack and a rip from Pedro, right at Neuer who held on. Halftime.
SECOND HALF
53 - Villa fired a lame side footed shot just wide. Best real chance for him so far.
57 - Amazing work from Spain. A couple shots fired in and Iniesta gets to the goal line and laid it across but no one could reach it.
59 - Oh Pedro with a grass cutter to the right corner and just wide. Spain are on top of them now.
60 - Pique cuts out a good low cross, the end of a sharp counter from Germany. They attacked quickly there. A cross finally materializes and Klose volleys over, awkwardly. Still a half chance and not a bad one. The game opening up a little.
61 - Trochowski off for Toni Kroos ("another of the kids in the squad").
62 - What a run by Ramos and what a ball from Alonso, just a few inches too far. Podolski tracked him pretty well too.
63 - What's with the turf? It looks thick, clumpy, and soft. Not ideal for a World Cup semifinal.
67 - Mertesacker has defended very well. No crosses are getting by the lanky central defender.
69 - Terrific move, maybe the game's best chance. Podolski lobs to the back post, Kroos the sub volleys with his side foot and Casillas saves. He kind of scuffed it and it wasn't too difficult for the Spanish keeper, but he should've done better. Kroos back on the ball for a FK but its cleared.
73 - GOAL. Puyol. Who would've thought? Xavi's corner was inch perfect and Puyol flew in like only he can and smashed it into the net. A great run and a smashing finish. A deserved one-nil lead. An interesting last 15. Let's see what happens. Don't count out the Germans. Course you already know what happened because this is three hours later.
90 - FINAL. 1-0 Spain. Sorry, got overwhelmed with the game and couldn't comment. A very good, very tactical game. In the end, Germany perhaps didn't play as well tactically against Spain as other, less talented teams. You have to think its partially because of their talent -- that they thought they could play their game and not have to 'park the bus' -- that Spain could impose. No one is going to out-possess Spain.
Minute 7 - An innocuous looking pass slips behind all the Germans and Villa gets there first but shoots right at Neuer. Does Germany want the ball? They've barely had it for thirty seconds so far.
9 - "still at the sparring stage of this semifinal". Martin Tyler's excellence is still striking, deep into the tournament. Let's hope he gets the final and we don't have to listen to Harkes.
11 - Alonso nearly had the assist of the tournament trying to split the center backs for Villa there. Just missed, Iniesta nearly cleaned up the scraps with some quick footwork.
13 - What a chance for Puyol. Driven cross from Iniesta was perfect, diving header from the well-coiffed defender flew over the top.
15 - Pique needlessly gave up a corner, and Casillas barely flapped at it. Germany got a second and his punch was more decisive that time around. Germany's first real attack.
25 - Pedro played a ball to Villa in the box. He was well defended but his movement so far has looked as sharp as usual. Good runs from him. Germany haven't really come into the game yet.
30 - I liked Alonso's strike from distance there. A good effort. You've got to try.
31 - Did Schweinsteiger always play such a holding role? Admittedly I've been tuned out, but didn't he used to be more of an attacking mid?
32 - ooh, a blast from Trochowski just tipped wide by Casillas. Spain look kinda shaky defending set pieces, but otherwise they've been well organized.
44 - game gotten a little chippy but on the whole its been very well played, very clean, not a lot of gamesmanship. Thank goodness.
45 - Some quick moves in the box from Pedro but he can't quite lose his defenders. Should've just ripped it. Kinda typical Spain there.
45 - whoa whoa should that have been a penalty? The ref was on the spot. Lets see the replay. A busy last minute - a Spain counter attack and a rip from Pedro, right at Neuer who held on. Halftime.
SECOND HALF
53 - Villa fired a lame side footed shot just wide. Best real chance for him so far.
57 - Amazing work from Spain. A couple shots fired in and Iniesta gets to the goal line and laid it across but no one could reach it.
59 - Oh Pedro with a grass cutter to the right corner and just wide. Spain are on top of them now.
60 - Pique cuts out a good low cross, the end of a sharp counter from Germany. They attacked quickly there. A cross finally materializes and Klose volleys over, awkwardly. Still a half chance and not a bad one. The game opening up a little.
61 - Trochowski off for Toni Kroos ("another of the kids in the squad").
62 - What a run by Ramos and what a ball from Alonso, just a few inches too far. Podolski tracked him pretty well too.
63 - What's with the turf? It looks thick, clumpy, and soft. Not ideal for a World Cup semifinal.
67 - Mertesacker has defended very well. No crosses are getting by the lanky central defender.
69 - Terrific move, maybe the game's best chance. Podolski lobs to the back post, Kroos the sub volleys with his side foot and Casillas saves. He kind of scuffed it and it wasn't too difficult for the Spanish keeper, but he should've done better. Kroos back on the ball for a FK but its cleared.
73 - GOAL. Puyol. Who would've thought? Xavi's corner was inch perfect and Puyol flew in like only he can and smashed it into the net. A great run and a smashing finish. A deserved one-nil lead. An interesting last 15. Let's see what happens. Don't count out the Germans. Course you already know what happened because this is three hours later.
90 - FINAL. 1-0 Spain. Sorry, got overwhelmed with the game and couldn't comment. A very good, very tactical game. In the end, Germany perhaps didn't play as well tactically against Spain as other, less talented teams. You have to think its partially because of their talent -- that they thought they could play their game and not have to 'park the bus' -- that Spain could impose. No one is going to out-possess Spain.
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