Beltmann

Speaking of Beijing, we learned last week that our new school superintendant wants to add Chinese--Mandarin? Cantonese?--to the list of foreign languages offered in our district. Her initiative is a direct response to China's growing economic influence. All the Spanish and French teachers quaked in their boots.

It's bad.

For the longest time my wife and I resisted, but eventually got one for online purchases and emergencies. But we haven't wavered in principle: We pay the full balance every single month. I don't think the credit card company has ever collected a penny in interest. They probably hate us. But we don't put nearly enough into savings, which needs to be addressed and soon.

I think I could do that.

In the "less gore" category, off the top of my head I'd recommend Rosemary's Baby, Eyes Without a Face, Dead Ringers, Carnival of Souls, The Devil's Backbone, A Tale of Two Sisters, The Tenant and Little Otik. Ooh, and especially Haneke's Funny Games.

I would have pegged you as the crucifixion type.

This book is great fun. Since it's almost entirely comprised of word-for-word interview material, it's easy to get caught up in its rhythm of quick, fascinating backstage stories.

I read a new Shakespeare play every summer--well, "new" to me, anyway. I enjoyed this more than its reputation might suggest.

When I was an English undergrad, we were expected to read about 50 pages every day, for every class--including weekends. For a 12-credit load, that was roughly 1400 pages a week. I remember many mornings of waking up and grabbing a book and reading for hours before even climbing out of bed. I didn't really mind, though. For the most part, I liked what was assigned.

According to Associated Press:

As of right now, the Marlins are 2 games behind for the NL wild card. If they manage to scrape to the top, they should send flowers to the Brewers: Over the last two weeks, the Marlins are 6-0 against the Brewers (who have now lost 9 straight).

TheMaker's statements are not opinions but irrefutable facts. His analysis is not the result of subjective preference, but of having the most enlightened ears on the planet, which is yet another verifiable fact.

That's it precisely!

I still like, not love, the album. But I suspect that it won't date well. Sidebar: I'm probably in the (vast) minority, but I absolutely loathe that canned-sincerity version of "America the Beautiful." It gives me the willies.

I'd be excited for this, but I bought the first DVD release and can't bring myself to buy it twice... cuz that's how the Man tries to separate me from my cash.

Grrr... didn't she already play that on Leno?

Big bottom, big bottom Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em Big bottom drive me out of my mind How could I leave this behind?

Be careful there, Matt. A post like that might cause teh Internets to implode.

I agree on all counts.

The writer even offers every track listed on the blog in one zip file (right under the listing for March 2002).

I have yet to form any firm opinions about this sequel to Dogville, except that I was never bored and Bryce Dallas Howard is no Nicole Kidman.

Ostensibly Glory Road is about how UTEP fielded five black starters in the 1966 NCAA championship game, but I think it's really about Josh Lucas