tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142508352024-03-13T11:43:25.910-07:00Dictionopolis in Digitopolis/A Dragon Dancing with the Buddha 2005-2013You couldn't have one fine day without the day, could you? You couldn't have tea for two without the tea, could you? You couldn't have three blind mice without the mice, could you? So you see...words are really very valuable things." Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.comBlogger7128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-62822059516917682762013-02-01T17:25:00.001-08:002013-02-01T17:25:23.504-08:00Well guys......yeah, I think I'm done here. Please follow me on Twitter and/or friend me on Facebook if you haven't already. Thank you for your patronage. And (one last time)...<br />
<br />
If you [were] amazed at the quality of posts on this site (I know I [was]), please consider making a small donation to the Buy Ben Books, Music, CDs & Movies Fund.<br />
<br />
I do have an Amazon.com Wish List, you know (look, there it is over on the left).<br />
<br />
Again, I thank you.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-8147368307799011762013-01-31T19:01:00.000-08:002013-01-31T19:01:08.918-08:00We've lost our lease! Everything must go!...I'm thinking of declaring this blog "closed." Since I've been on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/benvarkentine">Facebook</a> and now <a href="https://twitter.com/Varkentine">Twitter</a>, the number of postings here has gone way down--since October I've done less than 10, and this will be my first and probably only entry for the entire month of January.. <br />
<br />
The reason for that is simply that on "social media," you (or at least I) get more <i>response</i>. Even if it's only a "Like" a "retweet" or "follow," you get more interaction, even reinforcement. And honestly, that's one of the things I'm most looking for online--not the feeling that I'm just sending things out into the ether to sink like stones.<br />
<br />
This seems to have become merely a place to display my Wish List, link to Sinfest, and note when people mysteriously find the blog by searching my name.<br />
<br />
So why am I telling you all this? At the risk of feeling too abject, I'm telling you all this to ask: Does anyone really care? Seriously--is anybody still reading this anymore--more to the point, anyone who<i> isn't </i>friends with me on Facebook and/or following me on Twitter, and would not care to do either?<br />
<br />
Because I'm small-r-romantic enough to think that the idea of online communication is <i>communication</i>. And I honestly don't know if I'm communicating with anybody anymore here.<br />
<br />
This is a very serious request for feedback. Please let me know if you want this blog to continue--or even if you just want to know where to find me on Facebook or Twitter (to which the answer will be, follow the links in the first paragraph of this entry).<br />
<br />
My fate is in your hands--or at least, how I spend a few hours each evening. Look forward to hearing from you.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-48575380707340960312012-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:002012-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:00Bad luck.Oh, hells' bells. I just heard, via <a href="http://www.newsfromme.com/2012/12/30/peter-david-news/">News From Mark Evanier</a>, that smart guy <a href="http://comicbook.com/blog/2012/12/30/iconic-comics-writer-peter-david-recovering-after-stroke/">Peter David has suffered a stroke</a>. David's "stuff" (that's what he calls himself, "writer of stuff") has included some of my favorite books and comics over the years, and his column for the <i>Comics Buyers' Guide</i> was a must-read. <br />
<br />
I also posted fairly regularly on his America Online message board, back when there were such things, and he once flattered me by asking me if he could quote an idle remark I made there, in said column.<br />
<br />
As Mark says, this is one of those moments when all one can do is wish him a speedy recovery, which I certainly do.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-77133629633709557962012-12-29T17:36:00.000-08:002012-12-29T17:36:46.266-08:00I'll never forget you, Patricia McPherson<img alt="Patricia McPherson" height="480" src="http://img2.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/3/p/3p2cckk01v8d3d21.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<a href="http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/patricia-mcpherson-pictures.htm" target="_blank">Patricia McPherson Pictures</a>Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-90458623817916764192012-12-13T17:20:00.005-08:002012-12-13T19:23:55.414-08:00You knew what culture we live in when you chose not to put on underwear, Mrs. Hathaway (Updated with addition)Update: Apparently no, no <a href="http://www.egotastic.com/2012/12/anne-hathaway-learns-the-easy-way-that-flashing-your-les-muff-is-the-quickest-way-to-the-top-of-the-google-search-chart/">I am not</a>.<br />
<br />
Okay, I've been sitting on this one for a day or two, but I have to ask: Am I the only one whose heart is not all-aflutter at Anne Hathaway's saying <br />
<blockquote>
"I'm sorry that we live in a culture that commodifies sexuality of unwilling participants,"</blockquote>
and/or who thinks <a href="http://www.enstarz.com/articles/10476/20121213/anne-hathaway-wardrobe-malfunction-photos-youve-laugh-to-laugh-at-it.htm">Hathaway's "wardrobe malfunction</a>" was a deliberate publicity stunt (for <i>Les Misérables</i>)? <br />
<br />
I may be wrong. I frequently am. But just let me put this in your head: It wouldn't be the first time she's used her body to sell a film. Remember <i>Love & Drugs</i>? Yeah, neither does anybody else.<br />
<br />
But that entire advertising campaign, with Hathaway's active and enthusiastic cooperation, broke down to "See Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal (for those so inclined) take off all their clothes and have hot steamy sex."<br />
<br />
So, I may be wrong. I frequently am. But...Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-29060218368432618612012-12-05T19:56:00.002-08:002012-12-05T19:56:58.242-08:00Guess what, kids!...that's right! It's time to play...<br />
<br />
<b>Who's Searching for me Now?</b><br />
<br />
Someone in Newnan, Georgia found this blog early this morning (my time) by "bing-ing" "ben varkentine." To the best of my knowledge I do not know anyone in Newnan, Georgia. I don't even know anything about it.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-10483352775855931582012-11-25T16:36:00.004-08:002012-11-25T16:41:53.971-08:00Oh yeah......it's that time again, folks. "That time" being the second of my twice-yearly metaphorical awkward clearing of the throat and nudge of the head towards my Amazon.com wish list. You'll find it to your right. Thank you as always for your consideration.<br />
<br />
PS: Oh, again, as with the birthday subtle hint, of course the items/downloads need not only be purchased from Amazon.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-46645945579510909382012-11-02T20:09:00.002-07:002012-11-02T20:20:18.188-07:00This is...not even ARGUABLY...one of the greatest things I have ever seen on YouTube.<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U0x9HtYgVqA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
And I'm not saying that just because one of the clips is of a woman calling my name...Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-13286897154995126272012-10-23T23:08:00.002-07:002012-10-23T23:10:44.335-07:00I'd hate to be either Carl Reiner or Mel Brooks when the other one dies.Look how they love each other.<br />
<br />
<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p9KRczgRQYw?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p9KRczgRQYw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
PS: <a href="http://www.newsfromme.com/2012/10/23/todays-video-link-713/">H/t Mark Evanier</a>.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-52001897550552122692012-10-23T22:33:00.000-07:002012-10-23T22:33:11.554-07:00Best. Sports bra. Ever.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MO1dkT22jPk/UH-Fe8CrLZI/AAAAAAAA7oU/L6Za2myjvSg/s1600/tumblr_ma5nwkoDer1rcfn2yo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MO1dkT22jPk/UH-Fe8CrLZI/AAAAAAAA7oU/L6Za2myjvSg/s1600/tumblr_ma5nwkoDer1rcfn2yo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-31944640109595824882012-10-20T19:08:00.000-07:002012-10-20T19:08:03.093-07:00To vampires, Jennifer Connelly is what's known as a "fang tease."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bkFIPLIOGL8/Srt3UcH8VLI/AAAAAAAAkxU/Ftsok7j3dLY/s400/jennifer+connelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bkFIPLIOGL8/Srt3UcH8VLI/AAAAAAAAkxU/Ftsok7j3dLY/s640/jennifer+connelly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-37254370729698772272012-10-06T19:13:00.003-07:002012-10-06T19:13:49.014-07:00To the small % of you that will get the significance of this...<a href="http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Reid,_Tara/gallery/20121003-9/">Tara Reid</a> was seen leaving a bar recently. <br />
<br />
Yeah, I know. So what else is new? <br />
<br />
This is:<br />
<br />
The bar she was leaving? Named Annabel's.<br />
<br />
The reason she was there?<br />
<br />
Attending a birthday party for somebody named <i>Ben</i>.<br />
<br />
She's calling me, I tell you.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-39877168714721239052012-10-03T10:02:00.002-07:002012-10-03T10:05:28.019-07:00That's right, envy me. I totally had this.<object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zA6wa_tM7LI?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zA6wa_tM7LI?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Ah. for the days when it was exciting for one "action figure" to hand another a <i>brown manila folder</i>!Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-40937241515950214062012-09-28T12:36:00.003-07:002012-09-28T12:38:19.012-07:00A time I never lived in......these are the kinds of images (and sounds--it's Miles Davis playing "It Never Entered My Mind") which make me feel nostalgic for such a time. One of my answers to the question: When and where would you go if you had an actual TARDIS? has long been: The late '40s, Los Angeles...<br />
<br />
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/xDRY7DzbRGM?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/xDRY7DzbRGM?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
(I always feel the need to qualify that, however, by saying I recognize I'm saying it as a white, heterosexual male. If I weren't all three of those things it's quite probable I would feel differently)<br />
<br />
Oh, and h/t <a href="http://www.newsfromme.com/2012/09/28/todays-video-link-696/">M. Evanier</a>.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-474162379149314172012-09-10T12:58:00.003-07:002012-09-10T12:58:15.358-07:00Quick, some people ask me questions<blockquote>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/10/1129967/-Paul-Ryan-posts-online-Q-A-gets-200-views-and-one-question-Campaign-declares-it-a-great-success">Paul Ryan posts online Q&A, gets 200 views and one question. Campaign declares it a great success</a>.</blockquote>
<br />
FYI, this blog's average daily view count is just over 200. So if just two of you ask Q's, I can honestly say the blog is more popular than Paul Ryan.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-91427542009024454662012-09-06T22:20:00.001-07:002012-09-06T22:20:16.662-07:00Young voters to Scarlett Johansson: Show us your tits<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/scarlett-johansson-young-voters-involved-000601117--election.html">Scarlett Johansson to young voters: Get involved</a></blockquote>
Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-2487573708907265772012-09-02T10:29:00.006-07:002012-10-03T22:20:01.588-07:00"Alone." A Poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Illustrated via image searches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/155239213_3a7ee71194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/155239213_3a7ee71194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From childhood's hour I have not been<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2fVFncvPXI/THOYxXsRXzI/AAAAAAAAAZs/4zRqDOs_u5s/s1600/LittlePrinceATC1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2fVFncvPXI/THOYxXsRXzI/AAAAAAAAAZs/4zRqDOs_u5s/s400/LittlePrinceATC1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
As others were; I have not seen<br />
<br />
<object height="606" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://backend.deviantart.com/embed/view.swf?1"><param name="flashvars" value="id=220231760&width=1337"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://backend.deviantart.com/embed/view.swf?1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="606" flashvars="id=220231760&width=1337" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object> <a href="http://serenitysriver.deviantart.com/art/Mojave-Express-Fallout-NV-220231760">Mojave Express - Fallout NV</a> by ~<a class="u" href="http://serenitysriver.deviantart.com/">SerenitysRiver</a> on <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/">deviantART</a>
<a href="http://www.deviantart.com/"></a>As others saw; I could not bring <a href="http://www.museoimaginado.com/images/venus.7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.museoimaginado.com/images/venus.7.jpg" style="width: 320px;" /></a>
My passions from a common spring.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
From the same source I have not taken
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Twentieth-Century-Blues-Songs-Noel-Coward-CD-1999-w-Paul-McCartney-/00/s/MTM3OVgxMzg1/$(KGrHqJ,!lgE-9KRpROuBQE6y()mo!~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Twentieth-Century-Blues-Songs-Noel-Coward-CD-1999-w-Paul-McCartney-/00/s/MTM3OVgxMzg1/$(KGrHqJ,!lgE-9KRpROuBQE6y()mo!~~60_57.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
My sorrow; I could not awaken
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/BenVarkent4/?action=view&current=mary-louise_parker.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/BenVarkent4/mary-louise_parker.jpg" width="479" /></a></div>
My heart to joy at the same tone; <a href="http://www.mutantreviewers.com/ralien32.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="251" src="http://www.mutantreviewers.com/ralien32.jpg" width="320" /></a>
And all I loved, I loved alone.
<br />
<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36329240@N06/4033648833/" title="The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Book 3 in The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S.Lewis - cover by Roger Hane"><img alt="The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Book 3 in The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S.Lewis - cover by Roger Hane by Cadwalader Ringgold" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3493/4033648833_b1461642dc.jpg" /></a> <span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36329240@N06/4033648833/">The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Book 3 in The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S.Lewis - cover by Roger Hane</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36329240@N06/">Cadwalader Ringgold</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://face2face.si.edu/.a/6a00e550199efb8833013480adcab6970c-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://face2face.si.edu/.a/6a00e550199efb8833013480adcab6970c-800wi" width="384" /></a></div>
- was drawn
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/08/smiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/08/smiley.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
From every depth of good and ill
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sugarmunkee.shikshik.org/_cacheimg/m/a/marlene%20janssen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sugarmunkee.shikshik.org/_cacheimg/m/a/marlene%20janssen.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain, <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gUE7gwvAj5w/S1jNHohMshI/AAAAAAAADYY/OkPU1omMkI8/s1600-h/keeley-hazell-nude-calendar-2010-preview-01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429314881814573586" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gUE7gwvAj5w/S1jNHohMshI/AAAAAAAADYY/OkPU1omMkI8/s400/keeley-hazell-nude-calendar-2010-preview-01.jpg" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" width="307" /></a> <a href="http://dvdfever.co.uk/reviews/dogum89.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="http://dvdfever.co.uk/reviews/dogum89.jpg" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></a> From the red cliff of the mountain,
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GBJWE14XL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GBJWE14XL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" width="400" /></a>From the sun that round me rolled </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4808401261691825&id=6aac52256a0fe45c900d33ea0e0f0e0c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4808401261691825&id=6aac52256a0fe45c900d33ea0e0f0e0c" width="400" /></a></div>
In its autumn tint of gold,
<a href="http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/images/latest_sxt.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/images/latest_sxt.gif" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a> From the lightning in the sky <a href="http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/images/britain_royal_ghost_lon110.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/images/britain_royal_ghost_lon110.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a>
As it passed me flying by,
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://comicbookdb.com/graphics/comic_graphics/1/100/3612_20060727225830_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://comicbookdb.com/graphics/comic_graphics/1/100/3612_20060727225830_large.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
From the thunder and the storm,
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And the cloud that took the form
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(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
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Of a demon in my view.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-19486805328809147332012-08-31T10:11:00.000-07:002012-08-31T10:11:10.599-07:00Distorting the Truth About Distorting the TruthWait a minute...<br />
<br />
...fuck you, you can't say <br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/9jmda2e">Both Republicans and Democrats Are Distorting the Truth About Medicare</a></blockquote>
then give examples which explain how only the <i>Republicans</i> are doing it. <br />
<br />
Not and expect to have any credibility you can't, "Factcheck.org/Yahoo Finance."<br />
<br />
In the words of blogger and pundit Ezra Klein:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ezraklein/posts/395846780469298">I would like to give both sides relatively equal praise and blame. .... But so far in this campaign, you can look fair or you can be fair, but you can't be both</a>.</blockquote>
Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-55388179968388257452012-08-23T21:34:00.005-07:002012-08-23T21:36:00.261-07:00I got another gift from a semi-anonymous admirer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cfHOMpokL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cfHOMpokL._SS500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I say "semi-anonymous," because there's a name on the envelope...it's just not a name I recognize.<br />
<br />
"Mack White" apparently thinks well enough of me to spend a few bucks ordering and sending me something off my wish list, and I don't even know I know him.<br />
<br />
Must be one of those computer nicknames I know him under. Even more strangely, perhaps, he seems to be <a href="http://www.texastalesillustrated.com/">one of these guys</a>.Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-91754892068736113732012-08-22T14:32:00.000-07:002012-08-22T14:32:13.936-07:00Having friends who know photoshop is kinda disconcerting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xy_hVUiB5e0/UDVPxp2WdYI/AAAAAAAAGDE/4DDkr7O3B98/s1600/Shagadelic_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xy_hVUiB5e0/UDVPxp2WdYI/AAAAAAAAGDE/4DDkr7O3B98/s1600/Shagadelic_baby.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-37442475042036263492012-08-18T12:02:00.003-07:002012-08-18T12:02:18.684-07:00Where the Canadlian Things Are<br />
This is neat. It's from a collection of <a href="http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/2010/01/textile-thing.html">original art pieces</a> based upon Maurice Sendak's <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i>. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgKYSy7d-gk/TZnT3dJ1w8I/AAAAAAAACkk/5oNOSAakSqg/s400/Sato+Where+the+Wild+Things+Are.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgKYSy7d-gk/TZnT3dJ1w8I/AAAAAAAACkk/5oNOSAakSqg/s1600/Sato+Where+the+Wild+Things+Are.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-65595045963589917102012-08-16T12:10:00.004-07:002012-08-16T12:24:46.075-07:00Some kind person who, apparently......wishes to remain anonymous, has gifted me with the MP3 <br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iCOXsF3BL._SL160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iCOXsF3BL._SL160_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Disco</i> by Pet Shop Boys.<br />
<br />
Addressing me as <br />
<blockquote>
Ben, he's my frien'</blockquote>
<br />
they identify themselves only as <br />
<blockquote>
Impending Birthdaytown</blockquote>
and add the note: <br />
<blockquote>
Disco ain't dead</blockquote>
<br />
Until and unless I hear otherwise, I have decided to believe that it's really from Heather Graham.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dotting.me/en/images/photos/84/3au70x58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.dotting.me/en/images/photos/84/3au70x58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She adores me, you know.<br />
<br />Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-15552309664967881812012-08-16T11:16:00.000-07:002012-08-16T11:16:48.246-07:00McKayla Maroney is feeling very Olympic in my favorite color<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/420166_269575226477049_1261510478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/420166_269575226477049_1261510478_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, and Gabrielle Douglas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-15339160693052029282012-08-07T11:26:00.000-07:002012-08-07T11:26:05.914-07:00The calming shores of Sklarbro CountryThe special focus of the <i><a href="http://www.earwolf.com/show/sklarbro-country/">Sklarbro Country</a></i> podcast is on sports with occasional "pull-backs" to cover the larger pop culture. That this focus doesn't bother me--not known for my "sportiness"--ought to be enough for you to give them at least one listen right there.<br />
<br />
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One of the slogans of the show is "The calming shores of Sklarbro Country," and that's apt. There are some podcasts which I very much enjoy but which I don't necessarily find calming (<i>Pop My Culture</i>, for instance)..<br />
<br />
The show is hosted by identical twins Jason and Randy Sklar, who are also a comedy team. Of the handfuls of comedy podcasts to which I listen, one of the two acts who probably make me laugh the most with their stand-up is the Sklar Brothers.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font: 11px arial; height: 340px; width: 512px;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #e5e5e5;" valign="middle"><td style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jokes.com</a></td><td style="font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://comedians.jokes.com/sklar-brothers/videos/the-sklar-brothers---fascinating-twins-in-the-news" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Sklar Brothers - Fascinating Twins in the News</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #353535; height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right; width: 512px;"><a href="http://comedians.comedycentral.com/" style="color: #96deff; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">comedians.comedycentral.com</a></td></tr>
<tr valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" flashvars="autoPlay=false" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:268249" style="display: block;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" wmode="window"></embed></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr valign="middle"><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jokes</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joke of the Day</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/funny/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Funny Jokes</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Their relationship makes for what appears to be an unpracticed rhythm between the two of them, which is great fun to watch and to listen to. (Especially with their voices so alike--close your eyes and it could almost be two sides of the same brain). <br />
<br />
This ease also translates when listening to their podcast (which of course, is basically the same as closing your eyes). More of the show is written than it sounds; one of the reasons I know that is because about two and a half months ago they started putting out a smaller-sized "bonus" episode each week, to tide fans over between full-fledged installments.<br />
<br />
Called <i>Sklarbro </i>County to differentiate from the "brother" show (tee-hee), this usually takes the stripped-down form of the Sklars and their writing collaborator Dan Van Kirk going over recent incidents from the news and seeing what they can make of them. <br />
<br />
(Sometimes there are guests on this version of the podcast too--I think it has to do with which of their funny friends happen to be around.)<br />
<br />
This necessarily leads to more improvised riffs, but the "deeper cut," longer-playing episodes sound almost as if they too are invented from whole cloth, which is indeed a compliment. <br />
<br />
Recommended episodes: <a href="http://www.earwolf.com/episode/tick-tack-cho/">Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett</a>, <a href="http://www.earwolf.com/episode/sbc-96/">Jason Mantzoukas</a>, <a href="http://www.earwolf.com/episode/what-the-heck/">Marc Maron</a><br />
<br />
PS: No, I don't know what the "Henderson" thing means either. <br />
<br />
PPS: The other comedian whose stand-up act I've been enjoying as much as his podcast is Pete Holmes, whose <i>You Made It Weird</i> I wrote about in the last one of these.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font: 11px arial; height: 340px; width: 512px;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #e5e5e5;" valign="middle"><td style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jokes.com</a></td><td style="font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://comedians.jokes.com/pete-holmes/videos/pete-holmes---privacy-is-uncool" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pete Holmes - Privacy Is Uncool</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #353535; height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right; width: 512px;"><a href="http://comedians.comedycentral.com/" style="color: #96deff; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">comedians.comedycentral.com</a></td></tr>
<tr valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" flashvars="autoPlay=false" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:265830" style="display: block;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" wmode="window"></embed></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr valign="middle"><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jokes</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joke of the Day</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/funny/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Funny Jokes</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14250835.post-82308309832757879802012-08-03T11:47:00.001-07:002012-08-03T11:47:19.752-07:00I'm bored. Source this quote.<blockquote>
"No, nothing I ever do is good enough. Not beautiful enough, it's not funny enough, it's not deep enough, it's not anything enough. Now, when I see a rose, that's perfect. I mean, that's <i>perfect</i>. I want to look up to God and say, "How the hell did you do that? And why the hell can't I do that?" <br />
<br />
"Now that's probably one of your better con lines."<br />
<br />
"Yeah, it is. But that doesn't mean I don't mean it."</blockquote>Ben Varkentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14860341359362967093noreply@blogger.com0