haines his way

12/29/2002:
"THE FRONT-LOADED NOTES"

Well, dear readers, I had a rather emotional yesterday which I’ll talk more about tomorrow. Emotional yesterdays can never be discussed the day after because one must simply have a day in which they are not discussed. However, anyone who read yesterday’s posts will know the cause, oh, yes, they will know the cause. I’m also happy to report that Luckie’s “D” problem has entirely righted itself and she’s feeling her oats (no mean feat). For the time being, I’ve stopped mixing in a bit of wet food with her dry. In the meantime, my lower back is still hurting quite a bit on account of having done my Luckie lifting exercises.
Don’t forget, tonight at six o’clock Pacific Mean Time we will be having our final Unseemly Live Chat via AOL. After that, we shall have our very own sparkling haineshisway.com chat room. If we don’t have your AIM name please e-mail it to me by this afternoon so we can get you on the list. If the chat starts and you haven’t received your invite, e-mail me immediately right then and there – or post to the site and we’ll be checking quite often.
After my emotional yesterday, I sat on my couch like so much fish and watched three-and-a-half count them three-and-a-half motion pictures. First I watched a motion picture entitled One Hour Photo starring Mr. Robin Williams. I thought he was very good in it, but it was a rather pointless films, with too much film-school artsy direction (the score was especially bad). I then watched a motion picture entitled Blood Work, starring Mr. Clint Eastwood. I believe Blood Work is in the top echelon of Mr. Eastwood’s box-office failures – I’d read nothing but dismissive and obnoxious comments on the Internet, and most of the reviews were lukewarm, so I didn’t even go out to see it. Well, guess what? In my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo) it’s a real return to form for Mr. Eastwood, his best film since Unforgiven. It’s very much in the Don Siegel mold, and it moves right along and he’s terrific in it. It isn’t perfect by any means, but its faults are exactly the same faults as the book it’s based on – a less-than-stellar last twenty percent. In fact, the movie is a bit better in that regard, but it can’t overcome some bad plotting by the novelist, Michael Connelly. That small caveat aside, it’s just a good movie, no two ways about it. Very well directed – simple, to the point, so “D” word of the camera – professional in the best cinematic ways, which is more than I can say about ninety percent of what I see. The score by Eastwood regular Lennie Niehaus, is also top-notch.
I then watched the polar opposite of Blood Work – a motion picture entitled The Bourne Identity. If you enjoyed The Bourne Identity simply skip to the next paragraph. Because, frankly, I hated every last minute of The Bourne Identity. This director, Doug Liman, represents everything I hate about movies today. Hyped, inept direction, so over the top in every way that your mind goes numb after twenty minutes of being assaulted by his barrage of image and sound. His “style” is herky-jerky – he’ll do anything and he’ll do it poorly. Every closing of a door can be heard several continents away, the cutting is so jerky it’s nauseating and the score by John Powell is in that awful pounding mode. All that said, Mr. Robert Ludlum does write a good yarn (so good that it had already been filmed once before, and filmed better if you ask me) so the story is interesting. Matt Damon is his usual okay self, nothing more nothing less. The supporting cast has some of the worst performances I’ve ever seen – high school acting 101. The only saving grace of the entire film is Franka Potenta, the terrific young German star of Run, Lola, Run. If I were you (and I am) I’d avoid this puppy like the plague (or the “D” word).
Finally, I had to put on something good, so I chose Mr. John Frankenheimer’s political thriller, Seven Days in May. I’m only half-way through (I haven’t seen it since it came out in 1964), but what a terrific movie – great cast, great direction, sparse but great Jerry Goldsmith score. Whatever happened to Jerry Goldsmith? Can you imagine him scoring this same film today? Unthinkable. He would pump it up full of his banal overwrought themes (think Air Force One) and the whole affair would be disgusting.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Besides, it’s Sunday – not even that many Hainsies/Kimlets will be reading this.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below before I have the “D” word of these here notes.

Well, I wrote so much in the first part that I have nothing whatsoever to say in the second part. Yes, Virginia, the party of the first part has given way to the ennui of the second part. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
I mean, whatever shall I talk about? I suppose I could tell you the story of The Randy Vicar and the Coat Rack but this is a family site, after all.
Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear (that is three oh, dears), I’m simply afraid I have front-loaded these here notes. Mr. Mark Bakalor hates when I front-load these here notes and he will most likely bitch-slap me from here to eternity and back again.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must finish Seven Days in May and the final three days in December. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, so get out your themes and ideas and various and sundried topics and post until the cows come home. Remember, we must have many posts – that is the deal on the day we have our live chats. We must not shirk, oh, no, we must not shirk our postings. That would be unseemly indeed. Post away, my pretties and I’ll check back in a while so I can partake of the stimulating discussions.

Replies: 36 Unseemly Comments

Betsy & I are off to see LOTR:TTT in an hour or two. Hopefully we'll be back in time for the chat or before 2007, whichever comes first.
Posted by JMK @ 12/29/2002 09:14 AM PST

I rented 3 DVDs last night and watched them all: MINORITY REPORT (ok to good, but probably better on the Big Screen), UNFAITHFUL (Very good), and KISSING JESSICA STEIN (excellent, funny, charming, one to run out and buy).
Jrand: So you were a Trannie, that's so cool! I myself played Dr. FNF for 5 years (my secret life, everyone should have one).
Posted by KT @ 12/29/2002 10:48 AM PST

RE: THE BOURNE IDENTITY - The book, which I read in one long sitting, I couldn't put down. I remember seeing (and liking) the 1988 TV miniseries with Richard Chamberlain (wound up tight as a spring) and Jaclyn Smith (who put in one of her better performances).
RECIPE: Here's a recipe I made for Christmas that I got from Martha Stewart (not her personally, her magazine). If you like a mixture of sweet and hot tastes all at once, you should love it. NOTE: They're supposed to turn out crispy, but mine, for some reason, were soft. It didn't effect the complex taste, however.
SPICY SWEET POTATOES WITH LIME
4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2-1/2 lbs.), scrubbed well
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. hot paprika
1 tsp. ground ginger
Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper
Lime wedges, for serving
Yogurt Dipping Sauce for serving (recipe follows)
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a baking sheet in the oven until hot (about 15 min.). Meanwhile, slice sweet potatoes in half lengthwise; slice each half into 3 wedges. Place in a medium bowl, and toss with oil, cumin, paprika, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper.
2. When baking sheet is hot, remove from oven. Arrange sweet potatoes in a single layer on sheet. Return to oven; cook until potatoes are crisp and golden on the bottom (about 15 min.). Turn and continue cooking until golden all over (about 15 min. more).
3. Remove from oven; season with salt and pepper. Serve with limes and sauce.
YOGURT DIPPING SAUCE
1 cup plain yogurt
3 T roughly chopped fresh cilantro
2 T chopped toasted walnuts
1 T freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
Coarse salt
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to one day.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 12/29/2002 11:14 AM PST

Sorry I was errant and truant yesterday but I did get to the archives and read all the posts.
We spent the day with Ray's family (that's where most of the cookies went)although all the men except us were more interested in watching football than eating, visiting or opening presents.
BK - I'm glad you finished writing BK2. How long before we can read it? Also I knew Luckie's problem would clear up. Phoebe (and Sabrina before her)gets that problem occasionally but it always goes away within 24 hours.
Today it's a lazy day - watching a lot of programs we recorded from the "Brilliant But Cancelled" Festival on Trio which we had no time to watch. Based on what we did watch, the best television shows of the year were "East Side, West Side", "The Famous Teddy Z", "United States" and "The Ernie Kovacs Show".
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/29/2002 11:33 AM PST

Franka Potenta's performance in the Bourne Identity is indeed wonderful. "Run Lola Run" is great too.
"Crocodile Hunter" - Good Grief.I am beset by an attack of Australian cultural cringe. It would not get a viewing in Australia. We are still trying to live down the Paul Hogan garbage.
Has anyone out there managed to get through more than three Ludlum novels? Formala writing IMHO. "Airport Books" they are often called here - I'm sounding negative and critical - I've read them too.
On one trip (around the world of course - as one does)OZ UK US OZ - I read all of the "Tales Of The City Books." Is there any sign of further books been done for TV?
There is so much cricket her on OZ TV that it is "just not cricket".
Donna: Did you ever see Chamberlain in "The Thorn Birds" - miscast and dreadful acting IMHO - don't think I've really liked him in anything since Dr Kildare. Even then I preferred Ben Casey. Those were the days.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 12/29/2002 01:19 PM PST

LOL KT.
My biggest moment, besides the Time Warp and the Eddy's Teddy dance numbers was when I got to lead the crowd in the chant....three more points....RE:the transducer!
Watching Reign of Fire...hmmmm. Flying dragons. Okay stuff.
I watched the Trading Spaces episode this morning, and Hildi's bathroom was very bad. Oh my. Laurie did a nice job. The people were all very nice. I like friendly homeowners. Too bad some of them end up with hideous rooms.
What is the most unique or beautiful costume design anyone has seen this year? I thought CHICAGO of course was very good. And the LOTR movies are interesting. I guess my favorite would be FAR FROM HEAVEN. It was a bit over the top. My favorite costume design for a film of the 1950's period (made AFTER the decade) I think would be THREE WISHES which if you haven't seen it, check it out.
Patrick Swayze, I know. But THREE WISHES is very good and has an interesting score by Cynthia Millar. Has anyone else seen it? I bought the DVD last week to replace my VHS.
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/29/2002 01:20 PM PST

Re: Bourne Identity
Just had to chime in and
agree with bk on his
assesement of the movie. I
haven't read the book, so I
can't say, but the movie was
dull and predictable and
constantly attempted to build
up suspense for no reason.
Left me totally flat. A good
friend of mine insisted I see it
in the theatre with him...boy
was that money wasted.
On a more positive note, I'm
very much looking forward to
this evening's chat. I've been
unavoidably unable to make
the last three, I believe, and I
hope to make up for my
truancy tonight.
By the way, (btw in internet
lingo) I managed to catch the
rerun of the flower bathroom
Trading Spaces this
afternoon...truly ghastly, I must
say.
Posted by Ann @ 12/29/2002 01:31 PM PST

7 posts? Yikes! I don't even need to take off my shoes to count today's posts. Where is everyone? I must count higher and higher - there ain't no mountain high enough. Come out, Come out, wherever you are!
Posted by The Count @ 12/29/2002 01:50 PM PST

Ok... Mr. Donald Feltham. You might have the distinct pleasure of having the last bitch slap of 2002 ;) You neglected to tell us that you posted the new radio show!!!!
Give it a listen everyone.. as usual, Donald serves up quite a tasty sampling of musical pleasure...
Posted by Craig @ 12/29/2002 01:53 PM PST

Ahh, a lovely sunny day here.
Makes the snow-covered
mountains I see right out my
front window look all the better.
Gotta love living at the foothills
of the Cascades!
Bourne Identity - blech
Saw "Catch Me If You Can" the
other night (my first trip to the
movie theater since Moulin
Rouge, I believe). Nothing
spectacular, but an enjoyable
movie all in all. Surprisingly
didn't feel overlong to me at
140 minutes.
Posted by Jed @ 12/29/2002 02:26 PM PST

Tom from OZ: I could never get through "The Thorn Birds." Repressed types are not my cup of tea. If you haven't seen him in "The Bourne Identity," take a look. You may be pleasantly surprised--especially by the first part of the movie. When it gets to the "love" story portion, it bogs down a bit but, as I remember, it was pretty riveting.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 12/29/2002 03:04 PM PST

I drove a friend and her three children to the airport last night. Afterwards, I stopped off at Borders in Renton to use the gift card that I got from my niece for Christmas. I bought Jerry Herman's "Parade," "Mandy Patinkin sings Sondheim" and Betty Buckley's "The Doorway." I listened to a few tracks of "Parade" and really liked it. I listened to most of the first disc of Mandy's and didn't realize that it's one big giant medley. I like what he sings and how he interprets the songs, but I'm just not used to the big giant medley idea, yet. I just expect more applause from a live recording. I'm sure it'll grow on me, though. I'll listen to Betty's CD tomorrow at work, where I can listen to it uninterrupted.
I just finished listening to Donald's radio show. I have to admit that I haven't heard of all the shows, although I loved all the songs that he played. When I get my income tax refund (of course, not till next year), I will have some more buying to do (in bulk)! I may have chosen different CDs last night if I had heard Donald's show before I went shopping!
Posted by George @ 12/29/2002 04:40 PM PST

Dear Jrand:
Referring to the sections of the transducer, we always said, "Three.....more.....Doritos!"
Posted by KT @ 12/29/2002 04:46 PM PST

Curses curses, looks like I shall be late to the chat, if I get there at all. Oh well, I'll still try...
Posted by Ann @ 12/29/2002 05:41 PM PST

Oh, what fun we are having in the live chat, even though I don't know what anyone is talking about.
Posted by Sandra @ 12/29/2002 06:35 PM PST

Oh, come chat with us! We're having a grand time!
:-)
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 12/29/2002 06:35 PM PST

Come to the chat right now....we need help with a movie title.
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/29/2002 06:36 PM PST

Hello Young Lovers Wherever You Are.... come join in the chat room. Just the beacon of light
Posted by MDS @ 12/29/2002 06:36 PM PST

I finally got into the chat and it's something that every Hainsie/Kimlet needs to be doing!
Posted by George @ 12/29/2002 06:38 PM PST

For everyone who missed the chat, it was DA SQUASH!
Posted by Sandra @ 12/29/2002 07:12 PM PST

Sorry I missed it (again). I went out with a friend (no, not Dr. Eric--her name is Lizzie) and we saw "Adaptation" which was, by far, one of the most bizarre films I've ever seen. I still don't know if it was worth my $10. The performances were great, of course (I think Meryl Streep can do no wrong on-screen and Nicholas Cage is pretty good, too) but the "story" is pretty hard to follow--especially when you're fighting off a cold. :-\ Oh, well. I'll see "Chicago" next. :-D
I believe it was Jennifer who said yesterday that Doug had done some strange designs in the past. That may be true, but I actually liked the Pullman Car Bedroom and the Movie Theater Living Room. Much more pleasant than a potty plastered in plastic petunias. (Try saying that three times fast.)
Posted by Jason @ 12/29/2002 08:00 PM PST

The first episode of BK's show "Penn and Teller's Bullshit" premieres on Showtime Friday, January 24 at 11:00 EST. I think there are different feeds for different time zones so check your local listings for the exact time in your area.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/29/2002 08:16 PM PST

Jason - I, too, liked the
Pullman car room. Thought
the movie theater room looked
ok, but was totally unfunctional
for the owners. One of Doug's
I really didn't care for was his
"Smokescreen" room. Blech.
Posted by Jed @ 12/29/2002 08:25 PM PST

I didn't really like the smokescreens themselves, but his color schemes are usually to my liking. I agree about the movie theater--it wasn't functional for young children, but it'd be a swell room for a family with teenagers!!
Posted by Jason @ 12/29/2002 08:36 PM PST

Good evening. What a nice weekend this turned out to be for me - and for everyone else here on HHW it seems. BK got his book finished, and everyone else confessed their obsession with Trading Spaces!
We had two good shows today, and a friend of mine came to the matinee and we got to catch up over a fantastic dinner. *We started off with fresh made potato chips topped with warm bleu cheese and chopped tomatoes! YUMMY! And the rest of the meal went up from there! -And, after a little bit of self-coaxing - and I mean just a little bit - we finished off with the flourless chocolate waffle! So decadent, but soooo good.
*And I didn't find myself in a sugar coma during the second show.
Oh, the start of today's notes caught me a little off guard. When BK said he had had an "emotional" day, I almost thought "bad emotional", but after recalling yesterday's notes, I realized it was "good emotional". -I guess I must be in "half-empty" mode.
Donna: I have a similar recipe, and it's very hard to get sweet potatoes crispy. The water content in them at different times of the year can vary drastically. Additionally, because of their sugar content, a lot of times "crispy" can mean burnt/caramel-ly. I found drying the slices off with a kitchen towel helps, but the big "hint" is to put them through a second baking at very high heat - 450-500 - like a second fry for french fries. -A pass under the broiler also can help. *Oh, and a convection oven helps in this department too.
Who am I, Betty Crocker all of the sudden?
Well, I'm glad everyone seemed to have a nice chat tonight. Hopefully, I'll be able to join in next week - in 2003!
Until later tonight... ;-)
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/29/2002 08:56 PM PST

To Betty Simbulan : -)
To avoid problems with sweet
potatoes or any kind of
potatoes, springle them with
flour !
Bon appétit !
Posted by François @ 12/29/2002 10:27 PM PST

Boy, there was a chat tonight
and it shows here !.....
Posted by François @ 12/29/2002 10:29 PM PST

What IS Trading Spaces?!?! I haven't a CLUE (OR cable)!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 12/30/2002 12:36 AM PST

Donna: Trading Spaces is a show where you take two sets of neighbors (two 2-person teams) and let them loose on a room in one another's house. They have 48 hours and $1000 to do anything they wish to that neighbor's room, with the aid of a hired designer (one designer per room) and one carpenter (who works on both projects). Here's the kicker: The neighbors stay in one another's houses and cannot see the work that is being done on their own home until the end of the 2 days, at which time they are presented with their new room. The looks on some people's faces are PRICELESS when they see what has happened to their house....usually the better faces come from those people who hate what has been done to their room. It's quite enjoyable.
Posted by Jason @ 12/30/2002 01:48 AM PST

Ah, it all falls into place ... and now I understand what you've all been talking about for the last three days! Trading Spaces is 'Changing Rooms' over here. As we've had it for years, I'm assuming the US version is a copy. I wonder why they didn't use the same name? Don't you have changing rooms over there?
Posted by Allan @ 12/30/2002 05:34 AM PST

Exactly. Changing Rooms is shown over here on BBC America. It is a lot quicker. The US show is an hour and CR is only 30 minutes - or at least the version we get here is.
The CR designers are much more open to suggestions from the homeowners. The results are usually not quite as spectacularly good OR bad, but it is an entertaining show. Not sure why they changed the title except to make it a different franchise.
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/30/2002 05:46 AM PST

Donna - you must get cable...you must get cable...you and JMK are the only people left in the world without it...you must get cable....you must get cable.
Or satellite!
Posted by Cosmic Man @ 12/30/2002 05:48 AM PST

That would be Donna, JMK and me! Heck, we hardly even watch network tv around here.
Posted by Laura @ 12/30/2002 07:50 AM PST

Cosmic Man says:
No eat red meat.
No drink firewater.
No put money in show business.
Posted by Cosmic Man @ 12/30/2002 08:01 AM PST

To Cosmic Man:
William E. Lurie say
No steal dialogue from Herbert and Dorothy Fields
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/30/2002 08:15 AM PST

Of course we have been monitoring your radio broadcasts for years. That is why we speak perfect English. If we sometimes use the idiom in ways that have been written before it is completely coincidental.
I wish I were an Oscar Meyer weiner. That is what I'd truly like to be.
For if I were an Oscar Meyer weiner, everyone would be in love with me.
B-o-l-o-g-n-a.
Posted by Cosmic Man @ 12/30/2002 08:25 AM PST

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