music, media & other random musings

Politics

Baseball, America's favorite past time.  While some people enjoy watching a ball game just sitting back and rooting for their favorite team, especially come post season or the world series when the chips are down, others live for the details, the stats, the pre and post game analysis.  It's the same with politics. 

Most of the country (or the percentage of those who actually vote) peripherally pay attention to the general election, most likely only focusing on it come October or November, and then often times forming their decision about a candidate based on only a few key issues of importance to them, or worse with cursory and often times severe misinformation learned through 30 second campaign ads and sound bites from stump speeches seen on the nightly news.  Me, I fall in into that second group.  As much as I've always been drawn to understanding and appreciating the issues before us, forming an opinion and conversing and/or debating with those I believe have an interesting and intelligent perspective, I also thoroughly enjoy the behind the scenes analysis as it unfolds daily. I appreciate the strategic nuances of each campaign, how they attack, how they counter attack, how each candidate nuances their stance, or changing of stances throughout the campaign - all of it.  And, admittedly I constantly and consistently consume the media's post mortem on how each of the candidates are playing the game. Maybe I'm part of the problem..

Believe me, I get that there's a lot at stake here - this is a national election, an election for President of the United States.  Theoretically, an election to be the "most powerful person in the world."  So whatever it takes to win is just par for the course, regardless of this promise to "play nice."  So, if John McCain has to create false impressions and misleading accusations about Obama, so be it.  It's all about the win.  John McCain is going negative, because sadly, it works.  And the reality is, that if John McCain were to actually campaign on the issues, he'd lose.  And they know it. The game is all about staying in power, keeping the Republican engine running.  And they are now using all the tricks that they excel so well at.  But this country is in dire straights and yet we're playing this as if it is a ball game.  Whatever dirty tactics are necessary, so be it.  No one will remember each play, only who won. 

But this audience that McCain's campaign is targeting are those sofa sitters - those people who catch a glimpse of Obama being blamed for their high gas prices or his image juxtaposed next to Britney and Paris Hilton in between watching Wheel of Fortune and Entertainment Tonight, those who aren't all that interested in the election (yet.)  But these people, whether consciously or subconsciously, are ultimately taken in by these sound bites  This audience isn't watching MSNBC - or Fox for that matter - to understand the nuances of the campaign.  They just get a "sense" that maybe something's not "right" with this Obama guy. 

And I am disgusted with it.  Watching The Daily Show on Thursday night, Jon Stewart did a bit, "reporting" on McCain (and the media's constant replay) calling Obama arrogant.  I normally would have been laughing, watching the clips of McCain being as presumptious as they say Obama's being.  But I'm too pissed off to think it's funny anymore.  The point is that yes, this is a national election - not only of historic proportions, but one that will ultimately change (or not change) the future of this country and the world.  But instead of truly informing the electorate about what's really at stake, and what each of the candidates stand for and plan to do if elected, the "rules" allow this kind of truly childish (albeit sophisticated) marketing rhetoric to influence the voting population.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Maybe even if this "sofa electorate" knew the real issues, they'd still think Obama wasn't their guy.  But I think this country deserves the chance to make a rational, educated decision.  Not one based on the false sound bites that the (each) campaign, with the media's support and help, are able to spread.

I realize this election isn't over yet - not nearly.  But I'm not feeling as cocky about Obama's inevitable win - or trouncing.  McCain's brought in the Bushies big guns to fight the nasty fight.  And if these tactics work, as they have in the past, Obama's going to have a real uphill battle.  He's the guy who stands for "a different kind of politics" so he has to be careful.  And the Democrats, in general, aren't good at playing this game.  But if Obama has any chance at all - he's going to have to figure out how to a work around this, and to counter attack on grounds that suits him and what his campaign stands for.  Otherwise, this country is going to get exactly what we don't deserve - John McCain. 

Digital Smarts

NBC.com launched a new website recently - maybe in the last few months.  There was a minor debate in my office about liking or not liking the new home page (the old one was more of a "2.0 design" with bigger images, less info/"mush"). I happen to be in the camp who likes the new look/design/function-ability. It's super fast and the top nav roll-over makes it incredibly quick and easy to find what you want.  Who cares what they're pushing on the home page.  I can navigate to where I need to go just as easy, if not more so.  But that's not why I'm bringing all this up. 

A few days ago I wrote about my frustration with the Showtime site while trying to grab a clip from Californication.  Well, my NBC.com experience was the exact opposite. After easily getting to the video page, you can see that for many (most?) of their programs, you are given the option to watch either the full episode or a 2-minute replay - and some clips are downloadable. I realize Showtime is a premium paid channel, so may not be wanting to offer full episodes, but certainly no reason to not let users post at least the clips they've posted themselves.  On the NBC site users can do pretty much anything they want, and with great ease - share, tag or post the video as an embed or a widget. The interface for options is elegant and smart (designed/developed by Clearspring.) Not only does it give the option to post on Typepad (many sites of course already do ), but it also gives the option to post to your Typepad sidebar (and Blogger sidebar).  It may be out there already - but I haven't seen that before and thought it was completely cool - until I tried it.  Unfortunately it appears the widget is one size fits all and it fell out of my sidebar space.  But still love the concept. (And probably could have resized if I screwed around long enough.) In addition to Typepad, of course you can also post to any number of other popular sites - faceboook, igoogle, friendster, myspace, eons, hi5, etc.  Same for bookmarking - large array of all the big options out there - delicious, digg, etc.  It took me literally about 8 seconds to add the 30 Rock video below - entered user name, password, title of post, hit ok... done.  Although Comedy Central is pretty easy, and doesn't take me all that much longer, it doesn't give you anywhere near the number of "easy" options & you are forced to copy & paste the embed url.  Just a weaker user experience all around. 

I love smart.  I love easy. And I'm loving that entertainment & media companies are finally starting to get how to make bigger fans out of its consumers. (Me being one of them.) Now it makes me want to go to the site and grab clips from NBC.com all the time.  Too bad I don't like more of their shows!

30 Rock

McCain Quest

Too hilarious!  I thought the Obama Quest intro was funny... until I saw McCain Quest.... (comes in at 3:33)

Bummer

Apparently the crossword mishap only occurred in some papers - not all.  As I sat down and started to do Wednesday's, it all looked too familiar.  That's because I already did it - yesterday. 

At least I have today's...

Crossword Bonanza

Oh joy of joys!  Opened the Arts section today to find two puzzles.  Apparently there was a production error and the puzzle published yesterday was "outdated." So today they published the "correct" Wednesday puzzle and today's, Thursday's.  Never seen that one before.  Very cool!

Digital Stupidity

My job is to get work out of cable companies.  So today, as I was trawling (my new favorite word) around Linked In looking for new contacts and checking out cable sites, I landed on Showtime.  I'm a fan of the network, totally impressed by the shows they've been creating for the last few years (especially considering how dismal it was for years), the brand's evolution and looking forward to the new shows that are going into production. 

My two favorites currently are Weeds and Californication. The new season of Weeds already started, so already getting that fix.  But the second season for Californication hasn't begun... so my curiosity led me to Californication's show page.  Nice big promo window to watch a preview of what's to come.  (Cleverly, the copy ties into the clip's dialog.)  Loved it!  Reminded me how much I loved the show and how yummy David Duchovny is in it.  So much so, that I wanted to grab the video and post it here.  But no luck.  It's in Flash.  No way to grab it.  Next stop, YouTube.  Figure it's got to be there, right? Nothing. Nothing, but old shit I've already seen before.  Why?  How tough is it?  Showtime has a channel on YouTube, but they don't even put the video they're displaying on their own site here.  Beyond lame.  And completely ineffective.  Don't they want bloggers to be able to post the video on their sites, and help to promote the show?  Apparently not. I do realize no one reads my blog, mine being truly for my own entertainment and edification.  But there are actually bloggers whose posts are read, even influential blogger, with many readers...  At this point, most of the cable networks are getting how this whole digital thing works. But yet, I feel it's not sinking in over at Showtime. (I realize they aren't ad supported, but it shouldn't make a difference in this regard.) I'm really not quite sure what's going on over there.  They aren't dumb people. 

OK, so fuck the video.  I'm over that.  Now I just want to know when I can get more of Hank. But here's the clincher - NO information about when Season 2 will be on-air. They do, however, provide a schedule for last season which in addition to not being helpful at all, is completely and utterly confusing. I really do get the realities of production, it was my career in a former life. And I get that all best efforts to "make a date" are often times missed.  Maybe the schedule is so off they have no idea when it will be on-air... So use the opportunity to tease the audience... give them something. That one clip got me hooked. Even one more would have been nice.  Or some information, please!  I even checked the message boards (something i never do). It is true, there weren't all that many posts, but the ones there were desperate for info.  One person claimed he'd been "on the set" and believed it would be on in September.  Another said, according to the sticker on the Season #1 DVD box that Season 2 starts September 22nd.  Wikipedia seems to think it will be on-air this Fall. So, although no official word from Showtime, I guess September it is - at least according to a few message board posts and Wikipedia (who supposedly got their info from the Californication site.)

I'm still a big time Californication fan.  But not so much for Showtime right now. 

Related articles by Zemant

Eisenberg's

Eisenberg's is a sandwich shop that's been around since 1929.  The food is mediocre at best.  Although the tuna, eggsalad and meatloaf are all pretty tasty.  But that's not what makes this place great...it's really about the atmosphere.  Once you walk in the door, you literally feel like you've gone back in time.  It isn't a new restaurant with the "faux-retro" look, but it's truly authentically old.  The counters, the grill, the growly waiters.. just takes you back to an era... well, one that I didn't live through.  But it's nice to visit once in a while..

Outside of the restaurant they have a blackboard sign, always with a wry, timely, relevant message that seems to change pretty often.  I pass by there every night on my way home from work & used to make a habit of taking a photo of the board, but then my camera phone died...  As I was able to get it up & running again last week (took out the battery for a reboot!)... I took this shot.

The owners are apparently well aware of what they are all about....

Bright Shiny Morning

Some people, I believe, aren't giving this book rave reviews because they want to diss Jame Frey, feeling "cheated" because of his supposed non-fiction fiction.  I read "A Million Little Pieces,"  thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn't for a second - immediately after his dentist experience - believe it was true.  So was never disappointed nor cared when he was "outed" in the ensuing media circus.

Whatever the critics say, or don't... "Bright Shiny Morning" was excellent.  I read half of it throughout the week, and the last half (not a short one) in one sitting on Saturday afternoon.  Throughout the book he randomly uses these run-on words/sentences which I found somewhat distracting at times.  Although I did get into the rhythm of it, the only time I felt it was completely in sync was at the end of the book (literally the last few pages.)  And at times, some of the short stories he told about periphery characters, although interesting, well written and completely in flow with the book, sometimes felt too long for me, as I wanted to get back to the main characters to find out what was happening in their world.  But that I cared enough about these people and their lives enough to want to rush back to them, says it all.  I loved all of the characters - even if i didn't love them.  (Some were a bit despicable.) And I'm thrilled that he didn't try to weave together any of these characters in that too often used "Crash" kind of way. 

Having lived in LA (although years ago) and visited many, many times since... I felt he has perfectly conveyed the tone of the city, if not some of the "stereotypical" characters"who live there.  Although I don't really have any burning desire to live there again, it did make me want to pick up another book about LA... or at least go for a walk on Abbott Kinney.

Some very minor "criticism," but all in all a great (summer) read.  Two thumbs up. 

Song of the day

Lots of listening today... Little Jackie, Alejandro Escovedo, Jason Collett, Albert Hammond, Eef Barzelay, Television Room, Teddy Thompson, Lightspeed Champion... Some good, some not so good.  But the track "Houses" off of Vetiver's "Thing of the Past" was the day's stand out.  Many, many listens.  I like the whole record - "Roll ON Babe," "Hurry on Sundown," "Blue Driver" and "I Must Be In A Good Place Now" are a few standouts - but "Houses" is the one that got the repeat plays..