Something very rare occurred today:
There are no badges on any icons on myPhone’s homescreen. Almost always, I have a badge on Mail and Todo, and often on Messages and Phone. Today, though, none! Closing out the year with a clean slate!
UPDATE: the clean slate only lasted a few hours. I have a badge again:
Being around a television at work most of the day, I usually see enough infomercials to want to gouge my eyes out. Most infomercials go in one ear and out the other, barely registering in my mind. Some, however, linger. I haven’t seen this infomercial in at least a month, but when I saw it air on ESPN for the first time, I had to laugh at the banality. I give you: the Freedom Tray.
From the Freedom Tray website:
Made and assembled in America using 100% recyclable materials, the Freedom Tray is the revolutionary food and beverage tray. Whether you’re in your car, watching TV, boating, camping, at the game or serving up the burgers at the tailgate party, the Freedom Tray will make your life easier. Simply pop it open, lock it in place and, instantly, you have a portable and versatile table to meet your needs.
Useful product I suppose. What struck me about the infomercial, though, was the blatant and undisguised jingoism—something right out of 2002. Even the name evokes a somewhat embarrassing episode in the excessively anti-non-American era that came post-9/11. Watching the infomercial, I wasn’t sure if I should take this product seriously or if I should file it under ‘f’ for “farce.”
And I’m pretty sure I saw their tagline “Made in America, Used Everywhere” describing democracy on one of those giant, poorly-designed banners behind President Bush.
Totally random thought here. While browsing through some recent uploads to the White House Flickr account via my RSS reader, I came across this photo:
These are pens for a bill-signing. What intrigued me about this photo is the direction of the signature on each pen. Because the signature reads from the top of the pen to the bottom while the pen’s tip is pointing right, this pen is a left-handed pen. If you pick up this pen to write with your left hand, the signature is right-side up; pick this pen up with your right hand to write, and the signature is upside-down. A left-handed pen for a left-handed president? No detail overlooked or just a coincidence?
Just for the heck of it, I tried to find some presidential pens in official use by past presidents. I found President Bush’s pens here:
These are right-handed pens. If you take the cap off and stick it on the non-tip end of the pen, the signature will remain upright in your right hand but upside-down in your left hand. A right-handed pen for a right-handed president?
My guess is that the Bush pen likely used a standard direction because a majority of people are right-handed, but the Obama pen was specially made to be a left-handed pen. How’s that for an exciting Friday night?
In Senate-speak, Senator Franken tells Senator Lieberman to sit down and shut up and pisses-off Senator McCain in the process.
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.No, Joe, do take it personally. Perhaps it “harms the comity” as Senator McCain said, but it sure doesn’t harm the comedy.
(Nod: AmericaBlog)
I came across something today I was unaware of: a rejected theme song for the Bond film Quantum of Solace. As I noted in my review of the film (which was also a review of the music), the title song was performed by Alicia Keys and Jack White and was written by White. In my review, I wasn’t shy about my distaste for the song and its lack of a discernible melody that composer David Arnold could use in his score for the film.
Well, today I learned that not only did David Arnold write a song for the film, he used pieces of the song throughout the score—like a Bond score should when a decent tune is written—and recorded the song with the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey, who is no stranger to the Bond universe with performances of the title songs for Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, and Moonraker. Arnold’s song, though, was rejected. Thankfully, Bassey has included it on her new album, The Performance.
Some wise YouTube user decided to strip the title sequence from Quantum of Solace of its gag-inducing song and replaced it with the Arnold/Bassey song. I posted the title sequence for Quantum of Solace a while back, but the YouTube video I linked to was taken down, so for comparison’s sake, here’s the original:
And here is the title sequence with the Arnold/Bassey song:
The song, titled “No Good About Goodbye,” is a classic Bond song with sweeping strings and a sultry voice—and is far superior to the mess of a tune that was the White/Keys “Another Way to Die.” Perhaps the film’s producers didn’t think this song fit the edgier feel of the film, but the song fits with the classic Bond persona and is a nice throwback to the Connery films: edgy film (as compared to latter entries in the franchise) plus Bassey anthem.
If you’re interested in a digital copy of the Arnold/Bassey song, unfortunately, as of this writing, an MP3 version isn’t available from either iTunes or Amazon. Hopefully one will be available soon.
(Nod: Movie-Wave Capsules)
Day 10, the final day, of my road trip back in October was a spent driving from DC back to Connecticut—and of course I had some stops planned!
First stop on the return leg of my trip was to Fort McHenry in Baltimore MD. Interestingly, Fort McHenry is the only site in the National Park System that is designated as an Historic Shrine.
The fort from a distance:
Looking out to the harbor:
Cannonballs:
Inside the fort (several years after the War of 1812, the second story and porches were added):
The guns of war:
Rampart (as in “o’er the ramparts we watched”) #4:
An interesting bit of historical trivia I learned at Fort McHenry was that in 1861, several members of the Maryland state legislature were imprisoned in the jail cells at the fort to prevent them from voting to secede from the Union.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
This sensational interpretation of Bohemian Rhapsody by the Muppets. Amazing!
A whole month went by without any new posts. Yikes. My apologies for any regular (or semi-regular) readers. I still need to finish my road trip photos!
And now for part two of my Washington DC photos from my road trip.
I loved the ceiling and the perspectives offered by the DC Metro:
Flag above the Department of the Treasury building:
North portico of the White House at night:
I saw this device on the south gate of the White House grounds. I’m curious what might have happened if I pushed the button:
South lawn of the White House:
Lafayette Park just north of the White House:
The eternal flame at John F. Kennedy’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery:
Onlookers:
Brothers (Bobby, Jack, and Teddy):
A sea of white:
The U.S. Constitution at the National Archives:
The Washington Monument from the Jefferson Memorial:
The U.S. Capitol, glazed with rain water:
I only spent two days in DC, but I probably could have spend two weeks there.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
While I’m on the rare-for-me topic of sports, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this video while working at ESPN…
…but every time I see it, I’m disgusted. Ginóbili’s actions have been more or less celebrated, laughed at, and joked about as if what happened really didn’t matter. I’m unable to confirm whether or not he actually killed the bat (he says in the video and in a Facebook note the bat flew away), but given the force at which he slammed the bat into the floor, the bat possibly died or was seriously injured.
In the last few years, more than one million bats in the northeast U.S. have died from White Nose Syndrome (WNS). Bats with WNS have white fungus growing around their nose (image from wildwildweather.com):
Thus far, the cause of the fungus is unknown—as is the ecological effects of the enormous number of bats lost to WNS. A map of the affected area from caves.org:
At a time when the bat population is suffering enough, Ginobili’s and the sports world’s ignorance to the big-picture situation is disgusting. Instead of any real understanding of the situation, people think it’s funny or cool that Ginóbili “caught” a bat from the air. Ginóbili can show some understanding and some compassion and donate to a fund like Bat Conservation International for research of and response to WNS.
Seriously, where were the refs during this game? I’m glad New Mexico lost.
Days 8 and 9 of my road trip were spent in the nation’s capital.
The weather those two days was cold, windy, and rainy, but I made the most of my time there. To alleviate my exposure to the elements, I would stay outside for a little while and then find something to do inside somewhere. Then I would go back out, then find something to do inside. Etc.
This was my first time in DC since 2001, and I was amazed at how much of a fortress certain areas and buildings have become because of security concerns. Buildings like the White House Visitor Center and the National Archives that you once were able to simply walk through the front door are now protected by metal detectors and security screenings. Walking and stopping at high value targets like the White House, I always felt like I was being watched, especially since I was traveling alone. Such is the life in a heightened-security state.
But anyway, on to the photo tour. The U.S. Capitol from the southeast end:
The Statue of Freedom above the Capitol dome:
Inside the Capitol rotunda, a statue of George Washington and The Apotheosis of Washington:
Inside the Library of Congress:
Looking to the Capitol from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court:
The west side of the Capitol:
The Capitol fountain:
Sputnik I inside the National Air and Space Museum:
The Washington Monument:
The National World War II Memorial at night:
Walking up the steps to the Lincoln Memorial:
The Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial:
The Korean War Veterans Memorial:
To be continued….
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
The last stop on day #7 before I arrived in Washington DC was to Manassas Battlefield (flag J).
This battlefield saw fighting twice. The First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas) took place 21 July 1861 and was the first major land battle of the war. The Second Battle of Bull Run took place 28-30 August 1862.
Unlike my previous battlefields of the day, this one was all open field:
The Henry House, destroyed during the first battle but later rebuilt:
Tree and field near the Stone House:
The Stone House, used by Union soldiers as a field hospital during both battles:
Bull Run:
The Stone Bridge spanning Bull Run. This bridge was destroyed during the first battle but later rebuilt.
As I was taking photos of and around the bridge, two gentlemen dressed in Union gear came walking over the bridge. I started talking with them and asked if I could take a few photos of them. They said they were at a reenactment at another battlefield.
The following day when I was walking the streets of DC, I ran into these two again (sans their Union gear).
While Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War, the battlefield was the last of six Civil War battlefields on my road trip. Like the previous battlefields, imagining what went on here so long ago while I wonder the fields was chilling.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
While I was on my road trip and traveling to multiple Civil War battlefields, I had a theme from the score from Gods and Generals in my head, so as I was driving, I listened to the full score several times. What a fantastic score written as a tribute to the events and the men depicted in the film and in the larger war and era.
Gods and Generals is a 2003 film based on the Jeff Shaara novel of the same name. Jeff Shaara’s novel is a prequel of sorts to his father Michael Shaara’s novel “The Killer Angels,” which the 1993 film Gettysburg was based on. Gods and Generals covers the Battles of First Manassas, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg (three of my road trip stops). Gettysburg featured a score by Randy Edelman, who employed an obvious and distracting array of synthesized instruments in place of a fully orchestral score. Edelman returns in Gods and Generals for a few tracks, but the majority of the work for the film is done by John Frizzell. Both composers thankfully use an entirely orchestral ensemble.
Not having seen the film, I am unaware of what or who themes in the score represent, but from a purely musical viewpoint, the score is remarkable.
The score begins with the titular track, “Gods and Generals.” The theme introduced in this track is an emotional heartbreak of a theme appropriately set in minor key.
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The theme returns elsewhere in the score, notably in the track “Loved I Not Honor More” in an almost haunting rendition.
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The second major theme of the score is introduced in the track “You Must Not Worry for Us” with a beautiful horn solo.
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This theme is a beautiful companion piece yet absolutely opposite of the first theme. The most extraordinary performance of this theme is the track “To the Stone Wall.”
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Other tracks of note include “Lexington is My Home” which gives listeners a delectable taste of the South.
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“The School of the Soldier” is a fitting military period piece.
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Finally, “These Brave Irishmen” pays tribute to the Irishmen that played a large role in these battles with a moving piece with ethnic instrumentation.
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Gods and Generals is a powerhouse of an emotional journey from start to finish. Frizzell remarkably captures the essence of what one might think a Civil War score should sound like in the 21st century. His themes are somber and heart-wrenching, hopeful and heartwarming. For film score and history enthusiasts alike, I can’t recommend this score any higher. Absolutely a five-out-of-five score.
After Chancellorsville Battlefield, I made my way to neighboring Fredericksburg Battlefield.
The Battle of Fredericksburg took place 11-15 December 1862. Confederate forces held off advancing Union forces in their campaign to march to Richmond.
Part of the stone wall on Marye’s Heights, occupied by a well-positioned and reinforced Confederate force who drove-back waves of attacking Union troops. This part of the wall is the original wall:
An open field of battle:
These earthworks are remnants of trenches used by Stonewall Jackson’s troops:
Driving through Fredericksburg Battlefield:
A gun of battle:
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
After stopping at Cold Harbor Battlefield, I made my way to Chancellorsville Battlefield.
Taking place 30 April to 06 May 1863, this Confederate-won battle is probably most well-known for the mortal wounding of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson by friendly fire.
A directional marker at the visitors center pointed the way to Gettysburg:
The stone memorial in the background marks the site where Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded. The flag adorns the grave of an unknown Union soldier. I’m likely committing Confederate sacrilege by photographing Jackson’s memorial with a Union flag:
Driving though Chancellorsville Battlefield:
Cannons in an open field:
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
Day #7 on my road trip was spent driving from North Carolina to Washington DC. Along my route were four Civil War battlefields.
Up first: Cold Harbor, 31 May 1864 – 12 June 1864.
Unlike my previous two battlefields, Gettysburg and Antietam, this battlefield was in the woods.
These are remnants of trenches used by soldiers in 1864. Like I said with the other battlefields, imagining what went on here back then is intense.
A canon outside the visitor center:
With the woods as a backdrop:
The several times I stopped and got out of my car to take some photos was very surreal. The weather this day was damp and dreary, and I was in the woods alone amongst only the sounds of nature. This setting coupled with the thought of the fighting and carnage that took place here was chilling. Very chilling.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
After spending a few days with my sister in Charlotte NC, I drove east to the coast to spend a few days on the beach where a very good friend of mine from undergrad was getting married. And because I was at the beach, I spent most of my three days there barefoot.
Sunrise over the sand dunes:
Sunrise over the beach:
I served as the unofficial wedding photographer, which meant I took many, many photos. Glasses for the toast later:
The cake topper:
Something blue:
With these hands:
Love:
Mother and son:
The cake topper again:
First dance:
My friend had sandals that printed “Just” and “Married” into the sand when she was walking:
The groom’s mom enjoying a little break in the sun:
My shell collection:
Sunset:
Last light:
Congratulations to the newlyweds! What a great few days we all had together!
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
I apologize for not keeping up with my trip. I’m several days past the end of my road trip and back in the comfort of my home. Perhaps I’m too comfortable as I’ve not finished writing about my trip.
So to continue, the end of day one took me to Charlotte NC to visit my sister for a few days.
One adventure we had while I was visiting was a day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, one of only two sites in the U.S. officially sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
There, we white-water rafted (my first time) and did two different zip lines (also my first time). Here’s part of the rafting and kayaking course:
Expect to be soaked from head to toe and inside out. Here’s one of the zip lines (this one goes over the water course, and if you’re lucky, the boats underneath will try to splash you as you’re zipping over):
If you’re ever in the Charlotte area and have several hours to spare, I highly recommend going to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. In addition to the three activities I mentioned, they have rock climbing walls, open-river kayaking, and hiking and biking trails. Many great opportunities for outdoor fun.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
Stop #3 on day one of my road trip was at Shenandoah National Park. I felt somewhat cheated since I couldn’t spend much time at the park because I was on a tight time schedule to arrive in Charlotte NC, but the park was beautiful. While I was hoping for more fall colors, the overlooks were nonetheless amazing to view.
I took a small break from the drive and enjoyed my trademarked sandwich while overlooking the sun breaking through the clouds rolling in:
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
Stop #2 on my road trip was to Antietam Civil War battlefield, site of the bloodiest single-day battle in American history on 17 September 1862.
The guns of Antietam:
A lone tree in the field:
Amber waves of grain:
The snake-rail fences along the Bloody Lane:
Burnside’s Bridge over Antietam Creek:
Like Gettsyburg, imagining what went on at the battlefield almost 150 years ago is stunning. Thinking about who might have been walking or who might have been fallen where I was walking was humbling.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
Stop #1 on my road trip was Gettysburg Civil War battlefield. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought 1-3 July 1863.
This gun overlooks Pickett’s Charge:
A farmhouse on the battlefield:
The gun with a North Carolina monument:
A line of guns overlooking Pickett’s Charge:
The Pennsylvania Monument:
A Union gun overlooking Devil’s Den:
While driving through the fields, I found it amazing to think about what went on almost 150 years ago and that today I’m driving though the area where they fought. A humbling experience.
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
So I’ve been absent for some time. I became busy with work and personal projects and needed some time away from the blog. But I’m back—with many photo updates.
I’m currently on a road trip I’ve named my “America: F**k Yeah! Road Trip.” A very good friend of mine from undergrad was getting married on the coast in North Carolina, and my sister recently moved to Charlotte, NC, so instead of flying, I decided to drive after I Googled my routes and discovered all the American historical treasures I could experience along the way.
So, last Thursday, I left CT bound for Charlotte, NC. My first day took me through Gettysburg and Antietam Civil War battlefields as well as Shenandoah National Park. After a few days visiting my sister, I set out for Topsail Island on the coast of NC, where I currently am.
What will follow in the next several days is a photographic journey of my adventure thus far and continuing to the present.
To start, I present you the seven state signs I passed on my eight-state drive on Thursday (the first one, I promise, says New York, but I missed it).
My tentative route takes me to Gettysburg battlefield, Antietam battlefield, Shenandoah National Park, Charlotte NC, Topsail Island NC, Cold Harbor battlefield, Chancellorsville battlefield, Manassas battlefield, a few nights in Washington DC, Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Trenton NJ where George Washington crossed the Delaware, and Liberty State Park in NJ overlooking the Statue of Liberty.
Stay tuned!
My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip:
Wired this week posted a very cool photo series of glacier views from space. Like this one:
