Month: November 2006

With the fore-mentioned humor post about disliking humor, let me bring up Mr. James Lileks.

He had a little web page once apon a time called “the gallery of regrettable food.” It was kinda funny. He basically made fun of old pictures from 60’s – 70’s cookbooks. It was cute. He had a nice retro-design style, and I chuckled at his turn of phrase. He’s a decent writer.

Then he had to start adding content and started getting mean. He started showing serious perspective problems with his critique of the culinary and matters of taste. It was no longer fun spirited humor. It turned into mean-spirited, mock-an-aesthetic humor. His turn of phrase and humor could not hide his sadness or depression. He ceased to be funny (for me).

I just started to dislike the guy after really digging him. I stopped reading him sometime in 2000 I think, or maybe earlier. This was when the gallery of regrettable food had just started to reach into making fun of 60’s design because… um… because it was 60’s design, I guess. His aesthetics became concrete.

When the book came out, got it from the library and I tried to read it. It was so hateful and ignorant I had to literally put my hands over the text as not to become offended by his text. He still had a flair for the language but it was poison. The pictures were wonderful.

So what do I find out today looking on a blog type aggregator? (yes I was perusing right-wing aggregator sites swimming the forbidden warm waters of schadenfreude.) lileks.com blog. Surely, not the same James Lileks? Yes. Surely.

He’s a wacko right-wing crazy loon. INSANE single-minded cannot-face-reality loon. I’m talking Orson Scott Card nuts.

Trust yet gut. I can’t stand James Lileks AND he’s a worthless fool. The concrete aesthetics just falls into place. He’s an authoritarian. No wonder.

Ok, So I’ve presumed some membership in the fluff filter. If you want out, just let me know.
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http://www.spiffomatic64.com/lightshow/ is an interesting place for compterized power control, re: xmas lights.

I wanted to remember this for TIKI KON or other places where I could or would want to set up some kind of computerized control, DIY style.

Check it out, it’s keen.

Hey there mis amigos!

I’m going to start posting more here as a way to

1) remember things
2) send links and comments to myself
3) spam silly crap

To save you from saying “Not another funny picture! Jeeze” I’m going to make a filter/group so you can choose to ignore the “fluff” posts.

So, who wants in the “fluff” filter?

Since change is in the air, it is time to go through my friends list and take some stock.

It’s not a judgement on you if I drop you (ok, well yes i suppose it is). Opinions are worthless remember.

If there’s some reason it’d make you feel all warm and fuzzly to get back on (you can check this in your LJ info, mutual friends, etc) just lemme know and I’ll put you back on.

That said, Look for more posts more often. Daddy’s back.

Rumsfeld is GONE.

Better and better.

plus, looks like a Dem Senate as well.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus?

Just breathe.

So this is what hope feels like.

It is the first gulp of air filling my lungs after being submerged underwater.

It is that cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.

It is Christmas Morning and my Birthday rolled into one.

It is the horns of Rohan reflecting of the scapes of Mount Mindolluin.

I’ve missed you, hope.

@icecream kid

I’ve been holding my breath for 6 years. I hope tonight lets me breathe again. Something’s got to give politically sooner or later. C’mon USA! It’s time to wake up.

I think I’ve made an interesting navel-gazing discovery about my humor taste as of late.

I’ve ofter wondered why I like Steven Colbert, yet dislike the Colbert report. It took Borat to get me toward an idea.

Both kinds of humor attempt to portray, or satire through imitation that which they mock. An undercover satire if you will. Now, when it is “smart” absurdist in nature, as the Daily Show does (or self-deprecating) I have more tolerance. When overt and hurtful, I do not. (even some of the Daily Show segments make me uncomfortable).

I suppose I have softened over time, but this kind of “mean” humor is not funny to me anymore, only painful. The imitation of a blow-hard to show how blow-hards are wrong, or a racist to show how racists are wrong seems too much of a use evil against evil problem. I (until now) subconsciously expressed my disapproval in the form of an inability to find the kind of humor funny.

For “The Colbert Report,” this manifested itself as nagging worry on my brain watching the show: I knew intellectually that he should be funny, but I could not enjoy it. I knew I liked him, but his show I couldn’t manage to enjoy. I felt like I should like him: Cognitive dissonance.

I’ve recently come to the conclusion that it is OK for me do dislike this humor. You like what you like. And I can’t like The Colbert Report. Sorry Steve – you’re a funny guy. Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy your next character.

And Borat? That’s the main reason I detest him. It’s sad when Mahir and Yakov Smirnoff are more genuine.

Happy Birthday to and ! I shall drink tonight in your honor.