Beltmann

The last game of that series was won 20-0. Last night the two teams met again for a second series, and the Brewers scored 17. Over four games, the Brewers have outscored the Pirates 53-4, and twice destroyed Zach Duke. After that ugly series against the Cubs, the Brewers must have been thrilled to see Pittsburgh again...

John, don't get my hopes up and then disappoint me...

My old high school, where I now teach, is in one of the most conservative counties in the entire nation (no kidding). If Obama was invited, I think the school administrators would receive multiple death threats (no kidding).

I had a similar experience with The National--although it was Boxer that won me over. I liked Alligator (and the earlier ones) just fine, but they didn't feel like a big deal. Then I heard and absolutely loved Boxer, which made all the others snap into focus, too.

That sounds very promising. I hope it turns out to be so.

I think Beeswax is Andrew Bujalski's best movie yet, and the first that can't be neatly described as mumblecore. Even though it's just a series of minor conversations--the story concerns twin sisters in Austin; one owns a used clothes-and-antiques shop, and the other is about to leave for a teaching stint in Nairobi--it benefits from a sculpted script and likable performances. When it was over, I was left wanting plenty more.

I am strong, and can carry both of you guys. Honestly, I find it easy to summon the will to be patient.

Hi Mart!

My wife and I DVR'd the program, so we didn't see it live. Both of us were pleasantly surprised--but not shocked--to see Wilco. (It made sense to include them among the musical highlights, didn't it?)

Not only that, she always manages to get butter all the way down the knife's handle. I think she uses it like a squeegee.

I hate when people open a cabinet, get what they need, and walk away without closing the cabinet. To me, closing the cabinet is part of the same task, not a second task that can be completed later. In a similar vein, I hate when my wife takes out the orange juice, pours herself a cup, and then leaves the juice on the counter. Somehow it becomes my job to put the cap on the bottle and return it to the fridge. I have to do this every damn morning, right after I close the bread bag that was also left open on the counter.

Exactly... I often go that route. I buy plenty of digital downloads, too--some iTunes, but mostly eMusic--and I back up all the new files to DVD-R about twice a year. If my digital library ever crashes, I'll only lose a few months worth of stuff (and eMusic lets you re-download at no additional cost).

Ha, I thought the same thing! They are coming to Milwaukee, but Stacy and I are going to pass--just not interested enough in Jakob. Plus, Neko will be back with the New Pornos in May, and we'll catch that for sure. (Speaking of unexciting pairings, did you see Sharon Jones join Michael Buble for one song on SNL? I was thrilled to see Sharon, but not so thrilled to see the company she keeps...)

Isn't that James release in April just UK... I think the US release is later. Am I wrong? (I hope I'm wrong.) Like the sound of the new Gaslight Anthem. That record is one of my most eagerly anticipated releases of the summer.

Definitely surprising news about leaving Nonesuch... could be exciting.

I'm looking for a vasectomy cheap; are you busy over spring break?

Now that the bill has passed, a new Gallup poll shows more Americans support the passage than oppose it. 49% of national adults think it is a "good thing," while 40% think it is a "bad thing."

I saw earlier today a breakdown of a reform poll--I think it was on CNN, but I don't have time now to double-check, so hopefully memory serves--that said 13% of those opposed only opposed the bill because it doesn't go far enough. Assuming that's accurate, if we swing those into the pro-refom column, we have a considerable majority that favors the bill or a more expansive bill. And yet we're supposed to believe that "Americans" oppose expansive health reform?

Weekend flicks: I loved Moon, but thought Zombieland was at best okay. And I finally caught up with Shutter Island, which was a blast. Works on every level: As a twisty-mystery, a suspense thriller, a psychological drama, a gothic melodrama, a study of loss, a study of post-traumatic stress. There are three twists at the end, and the first two are half-expected all along but saved through impeccable staging. The third--the ambiguity of the final line, which suggests not regression but an utterly rational decision--caught me off guard, and adds true depth, especially in context of the film

Glad I'm not the only who thought that was excellent.

FYI: The National is scheduled to play on Jimmy Fallon's show tonight, Wednesday 3-10.

You might be right, but I thought she was referring to a different controversy: Apparently, some people in Hollywood thought Mo'Nique should have campaigned harder for herself--I guess the way she refused to play the typical Hollywood campaign game was "scandalous" and alienated some of the Academy voters.

Me too. I actually didn't know she was on the album until I listened to it and heard that familiar, distinctive voice. Made me like the album even more.

I love Be Set Free. In the last few months, I'm not sure I've listened to another album more.

I haven’t watched much else in the last six weeks, but a few weeks back I had some surgery and was laid up for about four days. I grasped that opportunity to watch a bunch of DVDs. In order of preference: Passing Strange / Spike Lee / USA / 2009 Bright Star / Jane Campion / UK / 2009 Che: Parts One and Two / Steven Soderbergh / USA / 2008 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs / Phil Lord and Chris Miller / USA / 2009 We’re No Angels / Neil Jordan / USA / 1989 [REC] / Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza / Spain / 2007 The Fall / Tarsem / USA / 2008 A Matter of Loaf and Death / Nick Park / UK / 2009