Personal rennaissance

An interesting Times profile about Ennio Morricone--whose work in The Good the Bad and the Ugly (the flute, the horns), Once Upon a Time in the West (the harmonica) and Cinema Paradise I've always liked--and a funny/telling quote:

The Maestro of Spaghetti Westerns Takes a Bow, Jon Pareles: For many filmmakers through the years, a certain kind of pilgrimage to Rome leads to the opulent parlor of the composer Ennio Morricone. It’s the place where he has discussed grand concepts and crucial details, and often unveiled new themes on the piano, for the distinctive film scores he has written over the past four decades, from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” to “The Mission.” There are more than 400 of them, though he hasn’t kept count.

Next Saturday Mr. Morricone, 78, makes his long-overdue American concert debut with 200 musicians and singers at Radio City Music Hall. It is the beginning of a triumphal month in the United States that will also include festivals of his films at the Museum of Modern Art and Film Forum, and the release of a tribute album, “We All Love Ennio Morricone” (Sony Masterworks), with performances from Bruce Springsteen, Renée Fleming, Herbie Hancock and Metallica, among others. On Feb. 25 he will be presented with an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement, atoning for past omissions. After five nominations, he has never won.

Massimo Gallotta, the promoter who is producing the concert, has been working for more than a year to present Mr. Morricone’s American debut. “It was strange for me that Morricone had never performed here in the past,” Mr. Gallotta said. “He agreed right away. And then I was lucky about the Oscar, the CD, everything.”

Mr. Morricone has given concerts periodically in Europe, including a December performance that drew 50,000 people to the Piazza del Duomo in Milan. At Radio City he will lead the 100-piece Roma Sinfonietta orchestra, along with the 100-member Canticum Novum Singers.

Everyone except Maestro Morricone, as he is called in Rome, considers him startlingly prolific. Along with his hundreds of film scores, he has composed a sizable body of concert music like “Voci dal Silencio” (“Voices From the Silence”), a cantata he wrote in response to “the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and all the massacres of humanity all over the world,” he said. He will be performing that work on Friday at the United Nations, at a concert welcoming the new secretary general, Ban Ki-moon.

“The notion that I am a composer who writes a lot of things is true on one hand and not true on the other hand,” he said in an interview at his home, speaking in Italian through a translator. “Maybe my time is better organized than many other people’s. But compared to classical composers like Bach, Frescobaldi, Palestrina or Mozart, I would define myself as unemployed.”

There's a lot more in the article, including an interesting section on how he works and what he leaves out; but that quote jumped out at me.

What makes some talented people prolific, and others not-so-much? It's gotta be more than just organizing your time--right?!

I'd say a key element is your work can't seem like work, it's got to be something you love to do, perhaps even need to do. You have to set up a framework where time plus effort leads to results. And you have to be in a field where measurable output is possible.

I think it also helps to work with, or be around, other productive people. I noticed the Times' audio extra featuring five of Morricone's works, Yo Yo Ma plays two of them. Ma, for me, has always seemed the epitome of productivity; he's involved in so many projects, all stemming out of his mastery of the cello but many no longer directly related. That's another prerequisite, you need to work in a field where you can be productive on various levels and in different ways.

But probably above all is you have to be totally dedicated to one thing, and do it well. Everything stems out of that.

Uncredited photo of Morricone found online.

Massively destructive

So there's an interesting Times piece currently leading the website,
Iranian Reveals Plan to Expand Role in Iraq

James Glanz: Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq — including an Iranian national bank branch in the heart of the capital — just as the Bush administration has been warning the Iranians to stop meddling in Iraqi affairs.

First, what's with the headline? Imagine if it were about the German ambassador to Poland--German reveals plan to expand role in Poland?

Second, wow, reveal--the Iranian ambassador reveals! In an--interview.... Wow, holy sleuthing, Times!

Third, imagine the shock! shock! if the Times discovered that Germany had an interest in ties with its neighbor. Imagine if the U.S. told Germany how dare you claim you have the right to influence your neighbor. Imagine if the U.S. told Germany to stay out of what we do to your neighbor, it's none of your business.

Sheesh. There's been a spate of article lately about how the Bush administration seems to be beating the drums for war with Iran, much like it did with Iraq. (I actually don't believe the administration has any thoughts of going to war with Iran--it's not a winnable war, for one thing; the administration's simply trying to get the most out of its blustering and threats).

Maybe someone should be writing articles about the Times' take on Iran. Where's Maureen Dowd when you need her?

Finding the future

The Times is blogging from Davos--although judging from the paucity of comments nobody knows; so here are some tidbits:

This week, Andreas Heinecke, the head of Hamburg-based consulting firm Dialog Im Dunkeln, has been invited to Davos to try out his unorthodox management-training methods — which Bloomberg describes as involving a “pitch-black sensory deprivation chamber” — on the likes of BP’s chief executive, John Browne; Coca-Cola’s chief, E. Neville Isdell; Mr. Schmidt of Google; Citigroup’s chief, Charles Prince; and Daniel Loeb, the head of the hedge fund Third Point.

The purpose of this exercise, Mr. Heinecke explains, is to challenge business leaders with an unpredictable environment where they must accomplish tasks without relying on “ego and physical presence.” Bloomberg writes:

Heinecke says the [World Economic Forum] is the ideal spot to consign some of the world’s most influential people in a 70-square-meter (753-square-foot) room, where they must deal with the consequences of forfeiting power and control.

I think it'd be funny if when the lights went on all the CEOs were dead except for one.

A Chinese television news anchor, Rui Chenggang, has brought his campaign against the Starbucks coffee shop in Beijing’s Forbidden City to Davos.

Last week, the evening television newsman for the state-owned Chinese television network CCTV — an English-language 24-hour news network — touched off a firestorm of controversy by calling the Starbucks location, in the ancient home of China’s emperors, an “insult” to Chinese culture.

At a press luncheon here in Davos on Wednesday, he appeared stunned by the reaction to his attack, which he launched in a blog entry. Although his evening newscasts often have an audience far in excess of 100 million, he said, Mr. Rui, who spent last year in a academic fellowship at Yale, said nothing he had done on Chinese television had resonated as widely as the blog posting, which has now attracted half a million readers and over 2,000 responses.

Not all of those responses, even those coming from China, have been positive. One Chinese news site had taken to criticizing him, referring to him as “Lord” Rui.

Despite the controversy, Mr. Rui, a World Economic Forum veteran and one of the organization’s Global Leaders of Tomorrow, said he had no intention of backing down. At a dinner Tuesday night, he said he had spent time lobbying San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to support his polemic. – John Markoff

An audience "far in excess" of 100 million?! Are you kidding me?! The top-rated U.S. newscasts at best have around 10 million viewers--that'd be a rounding error to Lord Rui. Who on the side, according to his bio, also writes a column for Beijing Youth Daily, "the most widely read newspaper in Beijing."

My gosh, sometimes you forget how much bigger everything is in China, until you stumble across something like this. He has an interesting personality; here's his list of "Unforgettable Moments":

Successful walking back home all by myself when I was still in Kindergarten
Passing the College Entrance Exams without ending up in hospital

Failed the calculus final in college, have been having nightmares of that until today

First time being hailed as a great karaoke singer

Found out my dog was the biggest fan of Madonna in China

First time anchoring business show on CCTV International, with the make-up that resembles Dracula and the hairstyle of a highway bandit

First time interviewing a senior business leader, the Chairman of Royal Dutch/Shell, Sir Mark Moody Stuart, pretending to be as old as he was.

Finally understanding the essence of new institutional economics, thanks to Prof. Douglas North

Receiving the award of Global Leader for Tomorrow in Davos, Swtizerland, from Prof. Schwab

The successful fundraiser for Project for the Blind, Tibet

Yeah, if I were Starbucks, I'd close the store and ask Rui to join my board of directors.

There has been great debate in recent months about whether the conflict in Iraq can accurately be called a civil war. Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul Mahdi offered his view Thursday in a panel discussion at Davos chaired by Richard N. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.

At the session, Mr. Mahdi dismissed the notion that his country is in a civil war, saying instead that it is facing “a war against civilians” that “targets the whole society.”

At another point in the panel, Mr. Mahdi called the occupation of Iraq an “idiot decision.”

Adnan Pachachi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, said that while there is “room for improvement” among Iraq’s security forces in terms of their training and equipment, “the main thing is really their loyalty to the Iraqi state.” The forces, he said, must be purged of “infiltrators.”

I'm glad one of Iraq's vice president, who owes his job if not his life to us, feels free to call the presence of our troops an "idiot decision".

I wonder how many days he'd last if us idiots went home?

Demonstrators are usually kept far from the action at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where security measures include barricades and barbed wire.

In the virtual realm, however, it is a different story. During a series of interviews conducted in the online universe of Second Life — in which a digital persona of Reuters’ Adam Pasick questioned the digital personae of various Davos attendees — a man carrying an anti-Davos placard apparently sauntered right into the virtual auditorium.

On its Davos blog, Reuters reported Friday that the interloper was Iuemmel Lemmon of the protest group DaDavos. His avatar, or online personality, sported a beard and what looked like a blue beret.

Did virtual guards leap up to eject Mr. Lemmon from the scene? Hardly. Reuters said that he “sat politely with his banner in the front row.”

There's a funny if small screen grab of the event; and the original Reuters article refers to the avatar 'conducting' the interview as Adam Reuters.

That'd be a hell of a future... 'Hello, nice to meet you, I'm John McDonalds, you must be Kimberly Disney.'

Uncredited photo of Rui found online.

Moptop invasion

Every so often you pick up something without an understanding of what to expect. It's harder to do nowadays, with the hype machine picking up full blast anything that shows even the barest hint of promise--so unless you see something before anybody else, or are there when there's just the rawest of potential, by the time you're watching or listening or reading, you already know what to expect.

Unless, of course, you go backwards and don't do a google search beforehand. Which is how I came across the documentary of the Beatles' first trip to America, .

The film, it turns out, was done by the Maysles. The film shows all their trademarks--they get faces and small details, even if that means the camera is jerky, the only music and sound is ambient (if you don't like shrieking, you may want to skip this...), and the clips are edited non-smoothly. It's truth, at the expense of prettiness.

My favorite moments:

-The funny Beatles poster in the radio station, with their heads mounted on an album cover and moving like a bobblehead doll

-Walter Cronkite's voice as CBS reports on the Beatles coming to the U.S.; funny hearing him do a 'pop culture' piece--which appropriately runs at the end of the show, right before he intones, "And that's the way it is, Friday, Feb. 7, 1964."

-Ringo Starr, looking and acting like Tim's character from The Office; he's got the ability to detach, leading to a look in his eyes sometimes like he's not even there

-The New York press jostling and yelling to get them to pose in more interesting ways in Central Park

-The Beatles calling in to 1010 WINS (back before it went all-news), with Paul McCartney calling it WINS, Winston Churchill.

-Funny how much time they seemed to spend just hanging out in the hotel room, messing around with each other, always with the radio on

-On the famous Edi Sullivan show appearance, Paul and George's crazy eyebrows; the way the show's captions identified each of them in turn by first name (under John's name it read Sorry girls, he's married)

-Shaking it as they danced at the Peppermint Lounge, to the music of a black band

-Aggressively clowning around with the press on the train to DC

-Ringo rocking out as he sang I Wanna Be Your Man in DC, on an odd stage where they were in the middle surrounded by a totally bonkers crowd

-Ed Sullivan hosting his show from Miami Beach, and the Beatles playing new material in front of a nearly shriek-free crowd; after which Ed told them Richard Rogers ("who's one of America's most famous composers") had wanted him to tell them that he was one of their most rabid fans

-The band struggling to pack everything into their luggage (before stars had people for that kind of thing)

-The married John not being around much

-Sullivan's speech before the 3rd and final Beatles show, about how great their conduct has been; by the time he stepped in to insert "The Beatles!" with a jerk of his arm before their last song, you could easily imagine him quitting his day job and going on tour with them--this most enigmatic of figures seemed to just beam when he was with them

What a fun thing to watch. I think there's too much irony today for something like the Beatles to sweep through again. American Idol at its best might approach it; but I've never seen people as excited as they were to see the Beatles, it was almost like they were Japanese in their lemmingness.

Their tour of the U.S. took place in the depths of winter just a few months after JFK had been assassinated, so maybe the country was actively looking for a break. You forget what it's like to not have tons of tv channels, music everywhere and the internet at your disposal.

Plus, pre-baby boomer revolution everyone had all this pent up energy and emotion, and it was really only via shows like Sullivans and concerts that people could let it out collectively.

Hence, all the shrieking.

Uncredited AP photo of the Beatles with Ed Sullivan via CBC site.

Inside the insanity

As I've written before (and here as well), Gilbert Arenas is great. His blog is even better. I mean, how often do you get to read posts like:

ESPN The Magazine Took Me Off the Cover
I Missed That Game-Winner vs. Boston
Hello, This Is The Hibachi Speaking
I Was Fouled Against Chicago

The best part? His blog properly credits the photos he uses!

Getty Images photo of Agent Zero by Mitchell Layton

Kick 'em

There's an article in the Times' magazine that shows the best and the worst of America. As always, it's the kids who are caught in the middle. Refugees Find Hostility and Hope on Soccer Field

Early last summer the mayor of this small town east of Atlanta issued a decree: no more soccer in the town park.

Members of the youngest Fugees team, from left, Jeremiah Ziaty, Grace Balegamire, Qendrim Bushi, Josiah Saydee and Santino Jerke and Coach Luma Mufleh celebrate Josiah’s 13th birthday at the Saydees’ apartment in Clarkston, Ga.

“There will be nothing but baseball and football down there as long as I am mayor,” Lee Swaney, a retired owner of a heating and air-conditioning business, told the local paper. “Those fields weren’t made for soccer.”

In Clarkston, soccer means something different than in most places. As many as half the residents are refugees from war-torn countries around the world. Placed by resettlement agencies in a once mostly white town, they receive 90 days of assistance from the government and then are left to fend for themselves. Soccer is their game.

But to many longtime residents, soccer is a sign of unwanted change, as unfamiliar and threatening as the hijabs worn by the Muslim women in town. It’s not football. It’s not baseball. The fields weren’t made for it. Mayor Swaney even has a name for the sort of folks who play the game: the soccer people.

Caught in the middle is a boys soccer program called the Fugees — short for refugees, though most opponents guess the name refers to the hip-hop band.

The Fugees are indeed all refugees, from the most troubled corners — Afghanistan, Bosnia, Burundi, Congo, Gambia, Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Somalia and Sudan. Some have endured unimaginable hardship to get here: squalor in refugee camps, separation from siblings and parents. One saw his father killed in their home.

The Fugees, 9 to 17 years old, play on three teams divided by age. Their story is about children with miserable pasts trying to make good with strangers in a very different and sometimes hostile place. But as a season with the youngest of the three teams revealed, it is also a story about the challenges facing resettled refugees in this country. More than 900,000 have been admitted to the United States since 1993, and their presence seems to bring out the best in some people and the worst in others.

The Fugees’ coach exemplifies the best. A woman volunteering in a league where all the other coaches are men, some of them paid former professionals from Europe, she spends as much time helping her players’ families make new lives here as coaching soccer.

At the other extreme are some town residents, opposing players and even the parents of those players, at their worst hurling racial epithets and making it clear they resent the mostly African team. In a region where passions run high on the subject of illegal immigration, many are unaware or unconcerned that, as refugees, the Fugees are here legally.

“There are no gray areas with the Fugees,” said the coach, Luma Mufleh. “They trigger people’s reactions on class, on race. They speak with accents and don’t seem American. A lot of people get shaken up by that.”

Photo of members of the Fugees soccer team in Clarkston, Ga. by Nicole Bengiveno in the Times

Kramer's dream

Why do I like Deadspin? Well, this post pretty much sums it up--it's funny, but also telling: Welcome To Negro Bowl I!

This will keep me honed in on the stories of most importance as we head into the big game, because we all know this game is not about horses and bears. Or Peyton Manning cementing his legacy against a defense that was vastly overrated even before their best player was lost for the season. Nor is it about watching T-Rex (T stands for Terrible, of course) gross us out with his Philistine approach to the art of quarterbacking.

No, this game is about NEGROES. Of course the NFL playing field always runneth over with black people, but for once we're also running the show. This is what the urban marketing folks call "Cultural Synergro." Who'dathunkit? Quick Pop Quiz for you: Excluding the QB's, name two white position players on either team. Three... Two... One.... No, Marvin Harrison doesn't count. See, I told you: It's Negro Bowl I baby!

The user comments, extensive as always, tell you much about the state of the all-important white male american psyche.

Graphic from Deadspin

Panda-monium

So, really, all I need to say is China is asking the public to help them name 18 baby pandas--as the China Daily's headline reads, Love giant pandas? Name them.

(I saw the posting via Gothamist, whose editor extraordinaire Jen Chung is a known panda-addict).

Oh, and the website has photos of all 18--I can't emphasize how great the photos are--as well as little biographical tidbits. Basket girl's, for instance, reads:

Female, born on August 25th, 2006
Mothers name: Hua Hua
Birth weight: 121.2g
Current weight: 8.2kg
Features: weaker than her brother Panda No. 11, she has an oval face, is slim, has an open personality, and other pandas the same age like to play with her.

I think Fox should buy the rights to the show; I mean, all they'd have to do each week is show video of baby pandas, it'd be like the 5th-ranked show on tv.

Photos of pandas #11, 12, and 17 via China Daily.

Habla hysteria

The sign tells you right away Pizza Patron's not your normal fast-food chain. Just how special it is comes out in Texas-based pizza chain accepts pesos, takes heat.

It's startling to me that people who are bigoted against immigrants care so much that they'll spend time and energy going after an entrepeneur like this. What the hell do they care how a fast-food joint accepts payment?

Maybe these haters should instead try and contribute to this country.

Chicago Tribune: A pizza chain has been hit with death threats and hate mail after offering to accept Mexican pesos, becoming another flash point in the nation's debate over immigrants.

"This is the United States of America, not the United States of Mexico," one e-mail read. "Quit catering to the ... illegal Mexicans," another said.

Dallas-based Pizza Patron said it was not trying to inject itself into a larger political debate about illegal immigration when it posted signs this week saying "Aceptamos pesos"--or "We accept pesos"--at its 59 stores across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and California.

Pizza Patron spokesman Andy Gamm said the company was just trying to sell more pizza to its customers, 60 percent of whom are Hispanic.

Wal-Mart, H-E-B supermarkets and other American businesses in towns along the Mexican border accept pesos. Some businesses in New York and Minnesota along the northern border accept Canadian dollars. ...

The company said it has received hundreds of e-mails, some supportive, most critical.

While praising the pesos plan as an innovative way to appeal to Hispanics, a partner in the nation's largest Hispanic public-relations firm said a backlash was inevitable.

"Right now there's a lot of anti-immigrant rhetoric going around that could make them a lightning rod," said Patricia Perez, a partner at Valencia, Perez & Echeveste in Los Angeles.

Pizza Patron proclaims on its Web site that "to serve the Hispanic community is our passion." Its restaurants are in mostly Hispanic neighborhoods, and each manager must be bilingual and live nearby, said Pizza Patron founder Antonio Swad, who is part-Italian, part-Lebanese.

Is this the American dream, or what?! Immigrant starts an innovative small business which fulfills a need and becomes a national chain; comes up with a twist, draws fire, perseveres, and before you know it everyone else is copying the idea.

At least that's how I hope this story ends.

Pizza Patron sign photo via Austin Chronicle

Apple of our eye

American Idol in 'New York'--like the Giants and Jets, actually they're in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but they never reveal that. Watching on tape a day later; they open with people guessing how many contestants show up--they never give an actual answer, but lots and lots.

With guest judge Carol Bayer Sager; who's apparently a singer-songwriter who's won an Oscar and Tony. A Groovy Kind of Love being her most famous work--oh, and That's What Friends Are For, with her then-hubbie Burt Bacharach. First up is some weirdo with a bad (and a whole lot of) attitude who's already been on So You Think You Can Dance, cursing out Simon Cowell's Brit cohort on that show. There's a funny segment where they show him talking to people on the street and nobody cares who he is or what he says. This guy didn't sing, and is just here for the pub; so I won't give him anymore (although at times he's a bit funny).

Okay, Simon does call him rubbish--he starts yelling at Ian; who yells back before security tells him to leave; Ian starts yelling about Simon being a Brit and it's not his country and he wants to see his work visa. What a sad, pathetic guy.

Next, some teen with a slightly odd nose from Ohio whose parents don't know she's here, Sarah Burgess. She starts crying talking about how her dad doesn't believe in her. Aww, poor little girl. She crys again talking to the judges. Hey--she can sing! A very Broadway-ish voice, but good tone and unusual maturity; I like her. Simon says you don't have the greatest voice, but you're a try-er; Randy likes her voice too, as does CBS--Sarah starts crying again. You kindof have to pull for her, she seems so sincere and cares a lot. They show her calling her dad; on speakerphone--it's actually pretty powerful, her dad says just get home safe. My Gosh, she's totally the early favorite now, you can't make this stuff up.

Some Greek chick next, I doubt she'll be any good. And she isn't, just weird--no real self-confidence, either. Next an interesting one, Ashanti, who's made it to Hollywood twice before already and is trying again. Hmmm, didn't know you could. To get ready says she's been eating six times a day? Whaat--her voice isn't any good, very fakey. How'd she make it twice before? I'm pretty surprised; it's pitchy, and hard to listen to. Bad song choice to boot. They all pass, odd. Then she starts pleading. And goes on, and on; they play some soap opera thing behind it, it's actually very apt. She's actually not a bad public speaker. She says if America got a chance to see me, they'd love me--Simon says well, these three are Americans, and they don't. My gosh, talk about the long goodbye--she tries singing again, says more on her way out, Simon ends it finally.

I'm getting annoyed at the editing, which shows all NYC scenes juxtaposed with scenes of the line in N.J. Back with best friends from Jersey, who are attractive in that 'takes them careful hours of preparation each day to look like that' way. Best friend #1, Amanda Coluccio goes in, then is encouraged to bring in best friend #2, Antonella Barba with lesbian joking by the judges. They do a duet, as Simon says it was a bit of a mess. Amanda doesn't have much of a voice; does Crazy--good song choice for her voice, it's not bad. I don't think she's very good; oversings, doesn't flow; everything is deliberate. Randy says not bad; Simon says generic; Paula wants to send her on. Simon says he couldn't care one way or the other, says yes. CBS same, Randy says got some work to do; why not.

Antonella sings, she's better, but really--neither are anything special, nor do I think either is that attractive. CBS likes her look a lot, they send her on. It's all about the bff story here; I do like how Antonella sticks up for her friend. There's lotsof hugging and whatnot. Antonella doesn't tell her friend judges said she maybe be untrained, but is better.

Odd, so far no zip to this episode--it's NYC, should be more energy somehow. Maybe cause people are pretty intense so far. Some laconic guy does noises; I don't think he's any good. Simon laughs wildly for no apparent reason. Starts shouting out some ZZ Top. Good stage presence, actually; just no singing skills. Pulls out harmonica after judges ask for another song... uh, okay. Yo, gotta sing at least a little.

Show a bunchhof no's; apparently trouble finding a good guy. Funny, that's what a lot of women say about the city.... Show more no's; Randy and Simon crack up laughing at some androgynous guy. Last day 1 person, Kia Thornton, can sing--does Ain't No Way; controlled, slowed, and good husky voice with power. Just confident and performed well--she's like a pro, this is what she does. Simon says wow, this girl can sing, sending her into tears. He's like you don't need me to tell you that, it's obvious; a great audition. CBS says don't oversing; you're wonderful. Paula likes her, and of course Randy too. Wonder what her back story is; she could be a contender. Outside she falls on the floor, kneeling and hugging Ryan.

Day 2 underway--why do they always show the judges pulling up? Simon apparently skips out on the start; Henry Bejarano first. Already you can tell he's good--adopted by Bolivians in NY at the age of 1, good-looking tall black guy. Has the self-confidence, without arrogance, seems very sweet. Wow, he's gonna be a good story; too bad Simon's not here for this. She's got Paula before he even starts singing--and he's good, amazing he's just 16, has a lot of self-possession. Just a pleasure to listen to, not amazing, but very good. Paula says she's surprised, so young but good, easy on the eyes; CBS says you've got something special; Randy likes him too. Just hope he doesn't fall in with the wrong element in Hollywood, as Randy says stay humble. His family's all there, it's very sweet, actually. Wow, a lot of good stories out of NYC.

Gotta balance the good with the bad, of course; some jumpy fat black woman next, it's like she's drank 10 cups of coffee. Gosh, I just wish one time one of these people like this turn out to be good. Hey--she has a pretty decent voice! Eh, a bit pitchy, but a fun song, Dancing in the Street, and has good energy. A hard one, if she was hot she'd go through, but as it is it's a bit goofy. So then she sings a slow song, not as well. CBS nails it--she's pretty perceptive; first song fun, we went with you; second song we could hear all the pitchy problems. So she fails; even though she sang better than the sisters. At the door she says she has a lotof people who she can't let down. She's gonna be mad when she watches the show and sees the sisters. Lotsof tears, and big sadness afterwards. Ah, she's devastated; "I just wish I could change their mind." Not melodramatic, just very sad; "you get tired of hearing no, and it's not just singing."

Next contestant supports her, but she turns out to be totally flaky, with a red cowboy hat. Sings so out of tune it's not even funny, although the judges do crack up. CBS asks her just straight out do you in your heart really think you can sing; she says no, I'm not a singer. They ask why are you here then; she says her friends make fun of her cause she's tone deaf; is actually rude with Randy. Does that thing crazy people do where they talk deliberately and enunciate even as their eyes are bugging out. Says even if I can't sing I can be the next American Idol--you can teach me. My god, she's so deluded and self-centered and nuts. She says you don't really have to sing to be an American Idol; so weird and a total waste of our time. Hostile too--she has mental issues I think, or an astonishing sense of entitlement. Starts screaming at the camera, then going off on the other contestants, she's definitely mentally unbalanced.

Simon shows, some doofus in a fedora doing New York, Ny. He's 47.... Can't sing, doesn't even pronounce it New York, sings it New Yorr. Next, someone who I instantly think is good; Jory Steinberg, originally from Canada. Has met some heads of state, unknown why. Interesting giant brooch. She can sing--something I'd never heard before, Chains; a different type of voice, wow, suddenly nails the high/loud part. Simon says that was terrific, paced it well; Paula says very professional; and of course on she goes. I like her. Does a funny little jig in celebration.

Some crazy chick from Queens next, who says she's completeley militant when it comes to preparing for the audition, gets up at 5 to work out, lost like 20 pounds. Says it takes a certain type of attitude, a New Yorker to deal with it. Dresses trashily with a bunch of bracelets; no good I'd say. Hmm... Porcelana Patino, again, isn't bad--a very mannish voice; ugh, ok, not as good now. But Paula says you're pretty awesome, at first I thought you were peculiar; CBS likes her, says you're unique; Randy says yes too. She actually turns out not to be cocky, is moved that they picked her; group hug with everyone but Simon. I like her, actually--she really wanted to do this, and did.

It's very interesting, New York is turning out to be the strongest show, and also the most surprising. Makes sense, I guess; that's the way the city is. Odd clips about people's names and the judges messing them up. Simon especially seems to like screwing them up. The clips aren't all from NY, which makes it ever weirder. Some guy who looks like George Michael, and a bit like Simon. He has a good look, actually, and seems cool. But can't sing--howls, actually. Very bad broadwayish. Simon tells him he should be singing in a dress and stilletos. Randy says sing some Barry White. Simon rips on Paula for giving him advice that's not related to the competition; she actually swears at him, then gets up and tells him he's a bad boy. Poor Paula--then she goes off on him afterwards for being mean to someone who's standing there being vulnerable.

Some teen chick who's from Manhattan (emphasis), New York. Starts yelling as she walks in. Rachel Zevita--ugh. Can't sing, overdoes everything. Her voice is probably not much worse than that Mikaleh chick from a couple years ago, but not as interesting of a personality. Does another song after CBS surprisingly says she likes her, I thought it was better; then does some horrendous opera at Randy's request. I can sing anything, she says. This is a very odd one--they put her through. Which I don't think is good, she's already got a huge ego; does say the South has had a lockdown on AI, this year it's New York. I do agree with that, but in her case I don't think there's enough there there for her to last.

Show Ryan dancing like a fool with a bunchof contestants to some tribal-style music. Clips of bad people singing (or shouting) All Night Long; including some Kermit-like guy. Christopher Richardson, who we know from the tease is interesting. I like him, he has a humble, nice vibe. Wow, and he can sing--powerful, nice tone. Pleasant to listen to, good pacing, very sincere. I could see him doing very well. Carol is totally in synch with the judges, they all like him; Randy makes comparison to Justin T-lake, Paula says you're very special. Simon says you could surprise us in the next round, could do better. On he goes; sortof your average white guy in some way, Paula thinks girls will love him (3 of them hug him outside).

Back with scarily bad and painful singing. Nicolas Pedro, who last year quit during Hollywood week, couldn't remember lyrics. He says there hasn't been a day that's gone by since that he wasn't haunted by it. Good look, seems like a good guy, says he now sees himself as a singer; says he doesn't wanna be remembered as the guy who quit, he tried. Fly Me to the Moon--ah, I remember him, a very good tone that sucks you in. Very sincere. Paula is just beaming. CBS says I think you're wonderful, Randy yes, Paula yes, Simon yes, he beams. Good story, I like him.

Back with someone idiotic and sloppy--what's the deal with cowboy hats this year. She apparently sings on sidewalks in NYC. Hmm, seems to be having a breakdown before she starts singing. Too much jangling of bracelets, although she sings poorly too, so.... Some weird song, not really lyrics so much as moans and noises. Pretty crazy, actually; like a Hare Krishna on a bad acid trip. Funny, afterwards she says sometimes when she sings she can get arrested. She's very spacey. Odd.

Wow, 35 people made it out of New York. It's by far the strongest round, and so many different kinds of winners. Lots of enthusiasm from them and their supporters. Wow, line of cabs are waiting to take them out of the arena, that's gonna be a high fare.

Next week--Birmingham. A lot of good talent out of there historically.

Imagining the world

Before the web, 13 photographs that changed the world wouldn't have been nearly so interesting.

For one thing, it probably would never have been written--back in the dark ages, ordinary people didn't publish. Second, you probably wouldn't have seen all 13 photos along with the article. Third, there wouldn't have been hundreds of
interesting reader comments.

So there really should be a 14th photo; maybe a screen grab of this page.

1946 Gandhi photo by Margaret Bourke-White

Memphis brings the goods

American Idol goes to Memphis, cradle of Elvis/B.B. King/Beale Street. Where apparently over 16,000 people showed up to try out.

They start with a college student, Frank Byers, who brings an entire marching band, along with cheerleaders. If nothing else they should hire him to help market the show. He can sing decently; not a great voice, but strong--he does Heard It Through the Grapevine, which Simon hates; so he busts into another song. Both Randy and Paula say he may have shot in the future. He then leads his own cheer outside; then they burst into song, until Simon asks them to shut up.

They go to break with the ultimate tease--Simon saying "I'll be amazed if you don't make the finals" about a contestant. Hmm--have we found this year's Paris/Chris? Back with some bad chick, who has staring eyes; totally in a world of her own--just sits and looks, not much activity upstairs possibly. She sings in a high-pitched voice, almost like someone singing along to a Jew's Harp--there's a very country quality to her; Simon says he couldn't understand anything she sang. She sings another song despite being told it was pointless.

A white guy in torn jeans and a freaky voice does a whacked-out version of Stevie Wonder's Superstitious, which Simon also doesn't understand. More bad people who you can't understand and who have no shot. I just keep waiting for this great singer.

And then... he comes. Sundance Head; big guy with hippie parents and an intereseting beard. His dad was a singer; the guy has some sortof presence. Reminds me of the big guy from New Orleans last year who got cut early but who I liked. Good attitude; and--a nice, deep, powerful, controlled voice. I like listening to him; like he came outof gospel and the blues. Paula likes him, Randy too; Simon too. I don't think he's unbelievable, but he has all the ingredients to make top 12.

Wandera Hitchye--also has a good bluesy voice. Kindof a weird look, with odd hair and outfit; but she can sing. Judges, though, say there's nothing special, or next level--she asks for one more try, but Simon says no. Odd, in Seattle or Minneapolis I think she'd have gone on; she's totally mad afterwards, pushes the camera--so maybe they did make the right choice.

A bunchof quick no's in a row, including Paula telling someone it was "too desperate". Then, Travis McKinney, a nice-looking guy who keeps building up his song as being so emotional. Okay.... My gosh; starts with an insane martial artsy dance; and his song is not at all emotional, it's like some bad skitzo rap. That was crazy, says Randy. Boy, he's totally deluded; and some chick tells him to try again next year.

Some blonde chick, Danielle McCulloch, who I don't believe will be any good. But she's not half-bad; a bit country, Paula seems into it. Plays with the lyrics a bit, always the sign of a good singer. Paula calls her an old soul; Randy says it was okay, Simon agrees but likes her bluesy voice. Paula and Simon say yes, on she goes--she's okay, I agree with Randy that she won't be around long. Watching her afterwards, though, when she says Oh, I can do this, makes me think maybe she's one of those level-headed contestants who learn fast and makes the most of what she's got, surprising everyone.

Day 2, and they show everyone hugging Paula. Some geeky guy who loves Paula is first up. He's hobbitish, actually; his wife cheated on him, he forgave her, she said she wanted to keep messing around, so he told her to leave. He anticipates her wanting to come back when he wins AI.... Simon zeros in on his wife leaving him. Does ridiculous version of Footloose, like he just learned it yesterday; complete with some rote moves. Simon says he's tempted to ask if he sang that the night before your wife left. He disses Paula a bit at the end.

Some floozy in a low-cut dress next, who says her shades are important to her, her confidentiallyity. She spews out a list of adjectives she thinks the judges will apply to her, some of which contradict (sexy and conservative) and none of which apply. Bad vocals, some entertaining dancing.

A guy who looks like Castro (or Osama or Jesus, he says); Sean Michel has a gentle, humble nature. I like him, actually--very good vibe. But he can't sing that well, unfortunately; does some Christianity-infused Johnny Cash song. Paula says you have a nice tone to your voice; shockingly both Randy and Simon like him too, and they send him through. Anyone who doesn't think the judges respect pure musical ability (of which I'll freely admit they're much more adept at identifying than I am!) will be hard put to explain this decision. He's definitely the most unlikely person to make it through to Hollywood this year.

Back with Melinda Doolittle, who is a professional backup singer. I like her, she has this interesting cap on and seems eager without ego; a bit nervous, but husky, forthright speaking voice. Doing Stevie's For Once in My Life--a good version of it, pure tone to it. I totally like her; you gotta root for her, like the perfect song choice. Paula likes her, Randy wonders if she can grab the spotlight; Simon says unlike everyone else you come in with no confidence, no attitude, but you're a "brilliant" singer. Says she has a great voice, gotta work on your stage presence, but loves her--as do the other judges. And she's got friends outside to cheer wildly (always a good thing).

Find some idiot who thinks he sounds just like Elvis. Not gonna dance, he says, just gonna do a 'movement.' Robert Lee... he tells the judges he sings, dances, and writes stories. Has confidence, but no voice. Movement consists of raising his index finger vertically. More bad people, none of whom can sing Elvis. Including some guy who finishes by pulling a towel out of his pants zipper.

Back with a guy whose wife gave birth this morning. I like him; has a good look, cracks up the audience while talking to Ryan. Says the baby's more important to him, he's bummed about missing out. Doing My Girl, dedicated to all three of his girls. Philip Stacy. I like his voice--high, but controlled; pleasant to listen to. Randy likes him; Paula wanted to hear something else--so he does, and sings it well too. Simon doesn't think so, Randy and Paula do. there's some bickering; but he goes on to Hollywood. He runs off to go home.

22 people made their way out of Memphis; makes sense, the South is always strong for AI. And they close with Philip and his wife and daughter and newborn--wow, what a great show.

Next is New York (actually, East Rutherford, N.J.). Wish they had a full 2 hours for Memphis, but I heard some politician gave a speech tonight--in front of, for the first time, Madame Speaker?

Applauding Mutombo

I never thought I'd see the day when Dikembe Mutomobo was honored during a president's State of the Union address.

For those of you not familiar with the story of one of the premier shot-blockers of our time, Mutombo is a basketball player known for his ferocious defense; he played college ball at Georgetown and with a series of NBA team, and is currently undergoing a late-career renaissance filling in for the injured Yao Ming in Houston (maybe Bush will honor Yao next year?)

Mutomobo is also one of the premier humanitarians among professional athletes--he's built out of his own pocket a number of hospitals in his native Congo; based on a 60 Minutes interview I saw I conclude he's actually politically-savvy and not just a blowhard (unlike most athletes who pontificate on matters not related to their sport), and my guess is he'll run for president of Congo when he's done with basketball.

He's also got some interesting quirks; he used to be known for wagging his freakishly-long index finger at opponents after one of his prodigious blocks, and while in college supposedly would go to parties and bellow in his deep voice, "Who wants to sex Mutombo?"

Although I'm not sure I believe that--it seems like something people too easily believe about a big foreign black guy, not knowing he got degrees at Georgetown in linguistics (he speaks more than 6 languages) and diplomacy.

At any rate, here's what President Bush said of Mt. Mutombo:

When America serves others in this way, we show the strength and generosity of our country. These deeds reflect the character of our people. The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage, and self-sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look -- and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.

Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine -- but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. (Laughter.) Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his blessings with others. He built a brand new hospital in his old hometown. A friend has said of this good-hearted man: "Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things." And we are proud to call this son of the Congo a citizen of the United States of America. (Applause.)

Here's a list of some other athletes deserving of presidential recognition:

-Family Values Award: To Portland Traiblazers cagers Zach Randolph and Qyntel Woods, whose self-described Hoop Family activities consists mainly of beating people down at strip clubs, fighting dogs to the death, and in one case combining the two when Randolph yelled 'Get him, dog. Get him' at Woods as he beat on a guy at a strip club.

-Philantrophy Award: To wide receiver Terrell Owens, whose nutty, selfish, team-hating behavior has kept sports journalists and radio talk show hosts gainfully employed in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and (at the moment), Dallas. Close runner-up is Mike Tyson.

-Just Say No Award: To all of Major League Baseball--not just for steroid usage, but for amphetamines use, which is so commonplace that they're called 'greenies' and until very recently were kept in big jars in dugouts; former player Ken Caminiti, among others, told Sports Illustrated: I would say there are only a couple of guys on a team that don't take greenies before a game. One or two guys. That's called going out there naked. And you hear it all the time from teammates, 'You're not going to play naked, are you?'

-Community Service Award: Cincinnati Bengals; out of a total roster of 53 players, 9 players have been arrested in 9 months (I guess this should be community service/jail award). ESPN has even created a game where you have to match players with their crime (which ranges from Spousal battery to Unlawful transaction with a minor to a bunchof alcohol/drug charges.

-Dogged Digging Award: To investigative reporter Carl Monday and a mustachioed Ohio State University fan, for teaming up to star in one of the funniest and most jaw-dropping news reports I have ever seen. It's worth watching all the way to the end; and the comments on sports blog Deadspin are just classic.

Uncredited photo of Mutombo and his hospital's sign found online.

Starts with a sandwich

New Yorkers get typecast as rude and uncaring, but in my experience they're pretty willing to help people who are really in need (and not just fumbling or rude).

When I saw the story about a family that was searching for a missing man over the weekend, I feared the worst--but it all turned out okay--with some very typical Daily News quotes:

Lost in city's jungle: New immigrant Damon Mootoo had been in New York for less than a day when he faced one of the city's toughest challenges: navigating the confusing streets of Queens.

Mootoo spent five long, cold days wandering Jamaica after he got lost during a walk and was too intimidated to ask strangers how to get home. Mootoo, 32, was rescued yesterday by a kindhearted churchgoer who spotted him shivering on a Queens street and gave him food and water.

"I want to go home," Mootoo said last night after his stressful misadventure. "I'm thinking about going back to Guyana."

Mootoo got lost Wednesday, less than 12 hours after arriving in New York for the first time, when he left his brother's South Jamaica house to stretch his legs.

He was being treated last night at Jamaica Hospital for the dehydration and frostbite he suffered in the frigid air.

"When we saw him, he was just crying," said Mootoo's brother Mark Miller, 43. "He said, 'I'm glad to see you.' "

When Mootoo left Miller's two-story house on 152nd St. Wednesday morning, he wasn't wearing gloves or carrying an ID.

Miller said Mootoo had recently received his permanent resident card and was excited about starting a new life in America.

"He said he was trying to find his way back," Miller said. "He said he was just walking all over. He was scared. He heard all the stories about New York."

Mootoo, who is hard of hearing but can communicate in English, told relatives he didn't want to approach a cop because he feared he'd be deported.

He survived by begging several homeowners for water, but he was too ashamed and shy to ask for food or directions back to 152nd St., Miller said. At night, when temperatures plunged into the low 20s, Mootoo slept in an abandoned car or sought shelter from the snow under a piece of wood in a stranger's yard, he told relatives.

Meanwhile, his panicked kin posted flyers with Mootoo's picture across South Jamaica and formed search parties.

"We were thinking the worst after so many days," Miller said.

But just when hope was fading, Michael Bharath, 37, was walking home from church and saw Mootoo near his house on 142nd Place at Rockaway Blvd. "He looked in desperation," Bharath said.

Bharath's wife, Cynthia, made Mootoo a sandwich. Feeling secure, Mootoo told them his situation.

Michael Bharath asked if he had anything with his relatives' address written on it. Mootoo dug in his pockets and found a piece of paper with his stepmother's Foch Blvd. address. Bharath drove him there and reunited Mootoo with his worried family.

"When I see people in need, I try to help them," Bharath said. "He was in need, and I'm pretty sure that within a couple more hours he would have been a dead man."

There's another story out of Beijing that reminds me of a Chinese proverb about water vs. rock.

China phone thief repents after 21 text messages: A Chinese thief has returned a mobile phone and thousands of yuan he stole from a woman after she sent him 21 touching text messages, Xinhua news agency said on Monday.

Pan Aiying, a teacher in the eastern province of Shandong, had her bag containing her mobile phone, bank cards and 4,900 yuan ($630) snatched by a man riding a motorcycle as she cycled home on Friday, Xinhua said, citing the Qilu Evening News.

Pan first thought of calling the police but she decided to try to persuade the young man to return her bag.

She called her lost phone with her colleague's cell phone but was disconnected. Then she began sending text messages.

"I'm Pan Aiying, a teacher from Wutou Middle School. You must be going through a difficult time. If so, I will not blame you," wrote Pan in her first text message which did not get a response.

"Keep the 4,900 yuan if you really need it, but please return the other things to me. You are still young. To err is human. Correcting your mistakes is more important than anything," Pan wrote.

She gave up hope of seeing her possessions again after sending 21 text messages without a reply.

But on her way out on Sunday morning, she stumbled over a package that had been left in her courtyard only to discover it was her stolen bag. Nothing had been taken.

"Dear Pan: I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Please forgive me," a letter inside said.

"You are so tolerant even though I stole from you. I'll correct my ways and be an upright person."

It would be interesting to see where the people in the two articles are in a year.

Uncredited Damon Mootto photo from the Daily News

Feeling a little Japanese

Interesting article in today's Post about Scott Fujita, a player on the New Orleans Saints.

William Kalec: At Rock-N-Sake, a sushi bar in New Orleans's warehouse district, the edible homage to Saints linebacker Scott Fujita consists of crawfish and tuna rolls coupled with avocado sauce and is stacked like a pyramid. For the fifth-year journeyman linebacker who was traded by Kansas City and let go by Dallas without much of a free agent fight, the namesake dish and local cult-hero status is an honor offered with this disclaimer: "I don't want to get all sappy or anything, but . . ." Fujita said. ...

Fujita eventually stood out from the no-name group thanks to the unintentional marketing genius of cornerback Mike McKenzie, who called Fujita the "Asian Assassin" on the Sept. 25 "Monday Night Football" lineup roll call. In that same game against the Atlanta Falcons, a national audience watched Fujita deliver a Samurai bow (a tribute to his adoptive father, Rod, who is of Japanese-American decent) after sacking Michael Vick.

He's bowed before, several times actually, but the move was never copied by Pop Warner linebackers around town. And he's never had a sushi roll named after him. And he says it was six weeks before he had to buy his own drink in New Orleans.

What the hell is a Samurai bow?

Uncredited Fujita photo from the New Orleans Saints website.

Rained on

Based on personal experience, Seattle has more weirdos per square mile than any other city in America, so American Idol auditioning there should be 'good'. Hour 2 is live, hour 1 from tape.

Rain, of course. And--Uncle Sam, who wore his cop uniform last year. I remember him--very cheesy. But not a horrible voice, actually. Oh god, doing God Bless America. Is bad, is dismissed, again.

Some deluded fat girl next, claims to go by The Hotness. Just looks unlikeable. Tries to sing with gum in her mouth. Is wretched. Wants to keep on going. Gets into it with Simon, keeps being defensive. Tries to sing another song. Paula's encouraging her; sings over the judges telling her to stop. Simon tells her to get a job down at the port.... She does the obligatory swearing at Simon afterwards, says he probably listens to that back-country sheep stuff. What a hostile woman.

Next, some Asiatic chick who says her husband wasn't supportive of her, that she's wasting her time. We know from the promo that she's no good, even though she seems soft-spoken and not a total weirdo. Breaks down talking about her son; I feel bad for her, has some self-esteem issues. Does Christina, very badly. Earnestly, but it hurts to listen. I think Paula's into false hope this year more than ever, is beaming at her. Says she's sick, gets water--no better, of course. Tone-deaf says Randy; she seems nice, but is deluded. They're being pretty mean to her, except for Paula. Simon shouts NO at her after she sings another song.

Some clips of very bad people; including a truly scary guy who shouts DIE, DIE, DIE. Next some crazy Texan chick with odd white hair. She says her look is sexy--she looks like she's wearing a shimmery sack. She looks a lot like her mom, who's also weird. Simon keeps quite as Randy and Paula mess with her a bit; he actually usually doesn't participate when it's obvious someone sucks. His is an odd cruelty, with its own rules--he generally doesn't beat up on the defenseless, tends more to go after the jerks. Her mom comes in at Randy's invite, goes on and on. Don't Cha--my gosh. No, says Simon. Tries to launch into Sweet Home Alabama. Randy gets the mom back into the picture, but they're kindof sweet in their cluelessness. Blame it on the nerves....

Rain coming down, maybe it's washing away the talent? A montage of people being denied. Then, Thomas Daniels, who from promos we know is good. Afro, has got some sortof confidence. Slept outside to audition; third time in 4 years auditioning. Hmm, has a very sweet voice--how did he get denied before?! Just has a nice quality to the voice. Mmmm, a little off-key on the high parts, but nice and mellow overall. I could see him doing well, not a natural top 12 but could get there if he doesn't self-destruct. They send him through, first one outof Seattle. His fam's pretty excited (wife?! has same hair), Ryan's got their little dog. If Simon and I ever have a baby, this is what it'll look like, crack Paula.

Another dog with another contestant, who I don't believe will be good. Weird outfit; very weird, like big pink tights on her arms and legs. Not a bad speaking voice though. Ugh, I don't like her before she sings, is crass.... Randy starts singing 'I love big' and she rips off the rest of Sir Mix-a-lot's lyrics. It's a no, of course; she's not any good. Her friends are all there, quite a motley crew. Simon's still talking about her afterwards, says it looks like she'd been caught in a net. Hey, wait a minute--I don't think she was wearing tights.....

Some kid with a Ryan-like hairstyle, Blake Lewis. Seems like an earnest nice guy; says he's a beat box champ. Not horrible, but not my cup of tea. I don't think he can carry a tune--good energy, but off. Simon, however, says you're good, maybe not as good as you think. Paula says you're good; Randy likes him too, but wrong song. They send him through, I don't think he'll do anything. His dad, a blue collar type of guy, is very proud afterwards, almost crying--his son says his dad is his inspiration, the hardest-working man in Seattle. Hmmm... nice kid.

Ryan's starting to rip on Seattle. Show some idiots; including some nerd in a shirt and tie who is loud but is like that awkward teen clerk they always show on the Simpsons. Afterwars he says it's been a major wake-up call for him.

Then a brother and sister team, Indian-Americans, their dad is a classical Indian musicians. They both seem like nice kids, big smiles--and she's attractive (he is too). They have a fun dynamic. He's confident--confident but foolish, she says laughingly. Has a good vibe to her, good energy. Shyamali Malakar... she can sing, does Summertime. Just a good audition; big voice, no self-consciousness to her, but nervous Paula says. Nothing unique, nothing different, very pretty says Simon. Randy says good voice, need to find yourself. They send her through; she shows some spunk with Simon.

Her family goes nuts, and she hugs her bro for good luck. He tells Randy he doesn't think he's better than his sis. Sanjaya--he has a good voice too, does some Stevie Wonder. Has a big smile, a good luck--and total likeability. Like his sis, not afraid of pauses in the song. Simon says you're a lot better than your sister; she has the stage presence, but you have the better voice, you're a shy little thing. Out he comes--yaaay. Someone to root for, both seem really cool, and have fun with each other.

Some kid they've been promoting as super-nerd. Self-taught musician, typical computer guy who's missing some social awareness. Has a robotic weirdness to him, very nervous. What makes you the next American Idol, asks Paula. I am a leader, he says. When asked what makes him unique by Simon, he says he doesn't really have a good answer for that. Does Unchained Melody. It's very interesting--like each note individually seems to have been worked on--but there's no rhythmn to it. Like one of those automated voices speaking English. And the high notes--oh my gosh. Truly painful. Makes you appreciate how good the Righteous Brothers are, it's a hard song, very tricky melody.

He asks afterwards if that's not good enough. Simon says it was one of the worst he's ever heard--almost non-human. Weird tone, says Randy--and not pleasant. None of the things you want singing to be. When will you sing again, asks Ryan--I don't truly know, he says, woodenly. Ryan joins him in just standing there afterwards, it's like he's in shock. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, just odd.

The last person from Day 1 and another contestant originally from Latin America, Rudy Cardenas. He has the right look; and a pretty sweet voice. Seems a bit cocky, and is usually outof tune in the second part of his song--but Paula likes him, and Randy joins her to outvote Simon's emphatic "it's a no." I think he'll do okay; I've already told a friend that the show's going to try and feature Hispanics this year, but I don't think Cardenas is a candidate for top 12.

They show clips of Simon getting ripped on by talent-less contestant; only 7 got out on the first day.

Day 2 dawns sunny. "The worst bunch of miserable contestants ever" is what Simon called day 1. Why is it fat people are still fair game for ridicule in this country? They show a fat kid and his crazy-eyed hobbitish sidekick--oh, boy. They both seem to have difficulty speaking.

Small boy first, who seems like that Tattoo guy on Fantasy Island. Dances in a very rote way; breathless singing. His buddy's listening at the door, with an air of concern that's quite funny. Simon rips on him--you look a little odd, compares him to one of those creatures who lives in the jungle with massive eyes--a bushman.... Paula's on the ground in some sortof strong emotion. He leaves, a bit upset.

Now fat boy strolls in. Apprehensively. Simon asks if he's borrowed Randy's trousers. Talks like he's taken helium. Doing God Bless America. With a ton of fake vibrato that sets his belly a-shaking. Monkey-boy says he sounds real good from the outside. They don't rip on him; he tried his best.

Afterwards self-proclaimed monkey boy says he doesn't look like one. They show the two strolling off together. Definitely one of the funniest twosomes on AI in a while.

More clips of bad people. Then, some hairdresser guy who's pretending to be Tyler--but seems like a total dork. He can't speak properly either. Is really loud, but no good. Just not likeable at all. Tries to touch Simon's hair, which gets security up and out.

Montage of Ryan being short. Then a tall black woman, 6'4. She could be decent. Pretty confident. Ex-Air Force. She dances like a stork or something, good energy. Not really singing, more shouting. Randy and Paula start growling at Simon when he says she's a bit over-the-top. He then pouts and refuses to participate; on she goes. She's a novelty act, don't see her doing nuttin. "You just put through a giraffe" says Simon.

Ooh, Jordin Sparks--she has it, from the second you see her you know. Not a great body shape, but--she can sing. Not great, a bit sharp for me, but a big voice and good poise, does a hard Celine Dion song, while she's singing Simon says to Randy she's the best we've seen here. Randy says he's blown away; her dad is an ex-Giants player I've never heard of. A bit too much says Simon, even comments on her weird smile--which I liked, it was young and nervous and natural. Paula and Randy predict she'll do well. I could see her as top 12, has that kind of brightness and energy that gets the judges a bit giddy and slappy afterwards.

My gosh, they next show very bad people doing Don't Cha and then some other song. It's actually horrifyingly bad, and hard to watch. Many of them aren't so much singing as emoting. Only 7 got out the last day; 14 in all--3 less than Minneapolis.

They close with some red-haired guy who exudes hostility and attitude. And again has trouble speaking; he looks like he could be one of those white serial killers (whoops, redundant) if pushed too far. Why did you enter this competition, asks Simon--I like competition, he says. Oh, no--he sings Bohemian Rhapsody in this scary high-pitched voice, the judges crack up. Not even trying to hide it; on and on he goes. He really is the freakiest. Simon says that may be the weirdest audition; compares it to a 1-year-old singing the song.

He says Simon should bring it on; swears, then says stand up and coach me. He starts spouting nonsense. Even the staffer sitting by the door with headphones on smiles as he leaves.

And that's it. Memphis next; 17,000 showed up--my guess is there'll be some good ones. The promo's well-done, reminds you how much fun this show is.

Running for history

There's an interesting line in the Washington Post's article about the presumptive race between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president:

"Senator Obama's got the magic, but Hillary Clinton's got the muscle," said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist who is neutral in the nomination campaign. "This is going to be a titanic fight between energy and charisma on one hand and money and organization on the other."

It's interesting because four years ago at this time, Democrats were watching pretty much the same race between Howard Dean and John Kerry.

Yet Dean wound up with both the energy and the money, before Kerry outwitted him in Iowa and fed his self-destruction. Obama's a much more disciplined candidate than Dean; Clinton's got more star power than Kerry.

To the extent any argument you can make about Obama was also made about Dean--inexperience being the chief one--the fact that Dean overcame and indeed took advantage of all the rhetoric to become the overwhelming Democratic front-runner at one point bodes well for Obama.

That, plus the fact that all of Obama's forthcoming screw-ups will only feed into his image as an ordinary, likeable guy. Obama's about as close to bullet-proof as any candidate has been in recent years; well, except of course for the name-thing and the race-thing.

Just one sign of his popularity is his announcement of his candidacy, via his website, became--in just one day--one of the most popular items this month on Digg.

Hillary's chief danger is she is going to seem like old news compare to Obama; that everything she does or says, no matter its merits, can be tuned out by an electorate that may have hit historically high levels of cynicism when it comes to attitudes toward politicians.

Her top assets are she has a ton of money, and knows everybody there is to know. And a nearly-fanatically loyal and top-notch staff that's been helping her lay the groundwork for this run for the past decade.

Throw in the mantle of history both carry, and it's shaping up to be one heck of a race. With their contrasting styles, it may even turn out to be the most riveting thing on television this fall.

I don't see how this can be good for Republicans in any way--the country's gonna be riveted by all Democrats, all the time, for the next year-and-a-half. Whomever winds up being the nominee is going to have had a lot more free media on which to spread their message than anyone on the Republican side.

Then again, given the GOP's message is essentially whatever Bush says it is at this point, maybe it's not such a bad idea for them to lay low until they can sort things out.

America's Idol

American Idol is back! Since I've watched all but a handful of episodes since the show debuted in 2002--last year I watched every episode but one--I can't wait to see how the show will continue to evolve.

It's changed a lot just in the last two years--as its ratings reached juggernaut proportions, it's become more professional-looking and the pool of contestant talent has risen markedly. And AI can now get pretty much any musical celebrity to come on the show (how are they gonna top Prince?! Michael Jackson?)

But there's also been the darker trend of the Simon-Paula and Simon-Ryan dynamic getting more obnoxious and mean-spirited, the commercial tie-ins getting more inane, and the producers putting the contestants through even more hoops.

Yet overall, it's one of the only shows--along with Amazing Race--that keeps topping itself every year. Due mostly to the interesting people they keep uncovering. Makes you wish there was an American Idol for other fields... like politics.

But enough of that--on with the show! Which, per always, I'm watching on tape.

My Gosh, the opening reminds you of just how big this show is--over 100 #1 CDs, Grammys, a Golden Globe (and probably Oscar)... and yet every network passed on it but FOX!

Seven cities for the auditions; over 100,000 people tried out. First off--Minneapolis. Jewel joins them as the celebrity judge; they mention Prince's name like 10 times in the intro segment. It's much more likely AI will be coming across the next Jewel than the next Prince.

First person they profile is Jessica, a make-over artist; she seems to have no star quality to me. But cries about how much this means to her. You can never tell....

Ugh; this fake deep cabaret voice. She may as well be singing Lady Marmalade, but it's some Jewel song--who oddly when asked for her reaction says she doesn't want to talk right now; you gotta say something if you're gonna be on the panel. Then Jessica begs, then cries; how come they can't start the season with someone good?! She tells her family she's sorry; makes me feel bad for her, but wonder if they feed her self-delusion. My gosh, this is like a 10-minute segment; why?!

Next, some 'urban Amish' guy, Troy, in a suit, hat and beard. Really, how many deluded self-centered white people are we going to see tonight? The guy says he has no tv, has never seen AI, doesn't know anything. He sings some idiot Broadway-ish song that he probably wrote himself. He tells the judges he doesn't think he's the best.

More bad people; all doing songs previous Idols have sung, but badly. Some black kid, Jesse, who rambles on as he speaks. Then he does the fake chick voice, which never works. Why don't people sing as themselves at least? He stops halfway through, runs off to get water, comes back in and without saying anything starts off where he stopped.

The judges abuse him for a while; hmm, this is really getting tiresome. Paula encourages him to sing some Michael Jackson. Then he gets into it with the judges; ugh. They show him complaining to the camera afterwards, some pretty catty comments. These segments are going on forever.

Some NYer dressed up as Apollo Creed, with crazy eyes. He's gonna sing in Italian; explains his dress before being asked (he's going to knock out his audition; and it's for his nieces who are in foster care). But you know what--he's not bad! Not so much in English, though. Simon complains it's disturbing they're taking this seriously with this weirdo who's singing opera. Everyone tries to open the wrong door on the way out.

Next, Denise Jackson--the first good person by the previews. Was born a crack baby; has a very intense look in her eyes, raised by her grandmother. Has a weird presence, bit trashy but big smile. Has a big raw voice; I'm Telling You from Dreamgirls. Kindof a tough pick, everyone has Hudson's version in their head. She's not easy to listen to, but there's something there. Simon says she did everything right--belted it out, says she has really good potential, likes her attitude. Seems to have good people around her. Not sure she'll get far in Hollywood round.

Even though I'm zipping past the commercials, they all look up-scale; must be paying a pretty penny. "First person in my whole family who made something of herself" says Jackson after the break. They go back to showing bad people, in a segment where everyone forgets their words; packaged as a fake appeal for help from the audience. Tashawn, wearing a tie, can't get past the first line; she has this air of craziness to her anyway.

They show her for like 3 minutes; it's just insane. I wonder how many people tuned in tonight to sample why this show was such a big hit last year, and are left concluding Americans really have no taste anymore? It's odd, you'd think Fox would want the season opener to actually be good, to grab you.

Next, some chick, Perla, who they say is gonna flirt her way there. She starts on Ryan.... Originally from Colombia; they profile her, and she has a decent speaking voice, so who knows. And is relatively attractive; but definitely comes across as annoying. Big smile; voice is a bit odd--or maybe it's just the Blondie song; but not bad, more husky than anything else. Does some Shakira for Randy--better. Randy agrees, there's something spunky, wild, crazy; Jewel says singing is mediocore, personality is good. Paula agrees Shakira version better; Simon says your accent is gonna be a problem. They send her through. As a novelty, I think; she'll be out early in Hollywood I think. They show her playing around afterwards, definitely interesting to watch.

Back, they show some people making it to Hollywood, but only their reaction, not their singing. More amateur hour, some kid in a cowboy hat. Seems okay, but I don't think he'll be able to sing, bit too odd. Doing some Johnny Cash--and he can't sing. Tone-deaf, no sense of anything. He complains about disrespect from Simon.

More bad guys; then, a guy from the Navy, Jarrod Fowler. Who I instantly like; holds himself well, seems genuine, and obviously is responsible. This'll be a good person for AI to promote; apparently the crew did their own version of AI on board the aircraft carrier, which he won. Auditions in his uniform, a lot of freedom talk.

He sings not bad--some parts are quite good. But afterwards he has an element of too much confidence for me, even if he seems like a nice guy. He goes on; don't think he'll go far in Hollywood. But who knows; maybe the sense of it all being stage managed will diminish. There's a fine line between using what you've got, and hitting people over the head with it.

Hour two. They show some more bad people. Some big girl pretending to be the Cowardly Lion--with a poster--leaves Simon incredulous. Then some idiot guy from NYC in a green t-shirt, who says he's a vocal teacher. He has a lotof confidence, and uses a pitch pipe. But is horrible--second half is in a totally higher pitch. Jewel nails it, a bit musical theater. Randy says you shouldn't be a vocal teacher, wouldn't tell anyone to take lessons from you. He fights back; Simon tries to egg him on, says Randy's being rude to you. Gosh, the back and forth goes on forever.

Michelle Steingis, a blonde teen who is a totally good example of your nice, cute Midwestern girl, maybe with a bit of an edge. She's not bad; has a good attitude. Simon didn't like the song, but says people will like her--confident but not obnoxious. She's through; she could be a Kellie Pickler-type.

More bad people, who all quit work to come in--none of them make it. Dayna Dooley, who already tried in California, tries again here after her boss flies her out. She seems totally put together, nice and confident, good back-and-forth with the judges. I really like her for some reason. Voice is okay, a bit forced; ugh, and hits some crazy notes. Bad choice of song, actually. Judges say they were pulling for her, but.... They tell her to bring in the boss, he says this is his favorite show, he says around the office they love her. She sings to the boss, and it's better.... He pushes for her, judges agonize, but no again. Afterwards thye psycho-analyze their exact relationship.

Some kid next, says his parents aren't supportive of him, costs too much. Matt Sato; hmm... a decent voice. Good choice, California Dreaming, slow version. Judges agree; Simon says you have something. He has a good smile. They encourage him, send him through. He calls his mom, she's totally astounded, he starts tearing up--awwww, what a nice kid, starts crying. Hmm, he could do really well, actually.

Interesting, MTV is now running ads during Idol. That shows you this show is really something, it's good enough for even the ultra-hip. Rachel Jenkins, who they profile--I'm assuming she'll be good, has good demeanor, works in her folks' auto shop. Down-to-earth woman, husband's in Iraq, she's in the Reserves. Hmm, is this gonna be a theme.... Wears her fatiques. Her voice is pretty good, a bit Katharine McPheeish, will do well on the ballads. A bit pitchy at times, stops before she's told to. Simon says you started well, ended poorly. They like her overall, send her through. I think she'll do okay in Hollywood.

Sarah Krueger, who I like instantly. Pretty, with Keri Russelish hair; and wow, a very good voice, even if she is doing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Just has a warm quality to it, big, but nice. Simon likes her, she definitely has likability, and a a good attitude. So far the best I've seen; she could be top 12, just seems like a pro.

Back with some weirdo chick who says she's an AI fanatic. And some kid who dances and has weird sticks, which he twirls while singing, poorly. It's kindof mesmerizing, he's so bad you just want to oncentrate on something else. He's like in some sort of zone. Juggles for them at the end; Randy says he should go on America's Got Talent. He says he can dance too, they ask him to dance on the way out; but he stays there and does some odd Riverdance-type thing. Afterwards, starts swearing at the camera, is so mad; then starts crying big-time, has some serious issues, says he's never been so insulted in his life. 16 years old and I want to start out famous, he says; you'll be famous, don't worry says his mom.

Big fan girl goes in.... Crazy eyes as well. Long spiel about her obsession with Idol; then sings in a howling voice, it is truly painful to listen. She's insane. Funny thing is she knew how nuts the previous guy was, but apparently has no sense of self. She's nuts; says she has 10 years of training. Says she has a degree in vocal performance.

It makes me think about how we pour billions of dollars into our school system, yet so many people come out the other end deluded in so many ways. Maybe we should start teaching kids how to be aware, both about themselves, and the world around them. To listen more, sift evidence, keep emotion from wreaking havoc with their critical thinking skills.... Really, we should teach Buddhism; people are so self-centered they no longer have a grip on reality.

More bad people, all doing Prince in various ridiculous ways. I guess that was a requirement for this city; if he's watching, he's crying. Josh Flom next, who seems like a nice Midwestern guy, big smile, has cool parents. He hasn't even sung, and already I like him; says he's more of a rocker type. Hmmm; don't like the song he chose, Bad Day by Fuel. It's really throaty, hard to listen to. Ugh. Sing something else! Randy says it doesn't feel like you.... Simon says go out and do an Abba song, come back and sing it in 15 minutes.

Some other contestants help him with Dancing Queen. Oh-oh, he doesn't even know any Abba songs, not a good sing. And does this ridiculous rock version of it--his voice really isn't that bad, but it's just the same song. He makes me laugh out loud when he does Barry Manilow's Lola in the same vein. Simon says I actually like you, but stick with the rock band stuff. Afterwards Simon repeats I liked him, but.... Poor kid; too bad his parents didn't guide him a bit instead of just supporting him.

And that's it--from 10,000 only 17 made it through. Tomorrow is Seattle; looks like lotsof weirdos.

Malcolm Gladwell's Blink is about how you can draw pretty accurate conclusions from surprisingly thin slices of data--like predicting whether two people will get divorced just by watching them for a few minutes.

American Idol proves that most of the time, when it comes to musical talent all you need is a few seconds. It may simply be good editing, but you can tell just by the way someone holds themselves, how they answer questions; a big part of it is likeability and genuine confidence, neither or which generally nest with delusion.

Gamed

Some interesting games that will suck you in.

Domino Pressure
Dominos are set up in various patterns; you just have to touch the right one to have them all fall in sequence. A lot harder than you might think.

3rd World Farmer
How hard is it to be a farmer in the Third World? Well, let's just say you can survive--if you have a few lives to learn the ropes.

Life in Haiti
The best I could do was tread water; I'm not sure how you 'win' this game, which I guess is the point.

Slavs on the Net

When it comes to Slavs and the Internet, these things come to mind:

-Spam
-Porn
-Aleksy Vayner

Surely there's more, right?

Hedgehog in the Fog
This is an absolutely astounding piece of animation by the legendary Yuriy Norshteyn. It's everything that is good about Russian folk culture.

Dog vs. Tiger

Siberia's a whole 'nother world.

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If you had to pick one photo to explain Russia, this might be it. More photos, and the back story.


Uncredited photo via EnglishRussia.