And Now, Some Random Thoughts
Mar. 14th, 2012 10:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_gneechFirst: High heels. WTF. I mean really. And more to the point, why do women put up with them?
Next: Meme time! Kyyanno posted:
So here are the things he asked me to talk about:
My affinity for hats started with Raiders of the Lost Ark, which probably isn't a surprise to anyone. My first hat was a rather lackluster porkpie given to me by my grandfather, but it was kinda-sorta like a fedora so I took it and wore it. My first actually-bought-it-myself hat was a deluxe Indy in grey with a silk lining... it cost something like $40 at the time and was a huge investment of allowance money. (Now a hat of comparable quality is at least $65, if you can even find it.) I also periodically dabble in black kangols (i.e., the hat that Arthur wears in NeverNever) and have been known to wear Greek fisherman's caps (a la Ringo Starr).
Cast Mordenkainan's faithful watchdog before going down into these. Also, where are the Cheetohs?
My affinity for lions started with Kimba the White Lion, which was my first animation obsession. But they fit surprisingly well with my personality. All of the introverty reserve of cats, combined with a desire for an extremely tight small family unit? Eeyup. And dayum, but they're pretty. ^.^ I'm not so pretty myself, but I can wish I was.
Hmm. Not sure what to say about comics. I love comics but hate superheroes. The manga revolution in the U.S. was a great thing for me (for a while at least) because there were finally comics about something else for a change. Unfortunately, in the time since, even all manga has started feeling exactly the same as all other manga to me.
If you're talking comic strips I have more to say, but it's a big topic. I will say that they don't hold the appeal for me that they once did; I don't know if it's just the collapse of the industry, or having OD'ed during the webcomics boom, or just my tastes have changed over time.
My childhood home (known affectionately as "Ogdenland" because it was on Ogden Street) doesn't exist any more; the entire 3.5 acres were bulldozed to make McMansions. I'm surprisingly un-upset by this development except for one aspect: the trees. There were some huge, beautiful, ancient trees there, and I resent that they were murdered in order for some developer to get another bajillion dollars.
Friends. :) Unexpected notes from people I like. Knowing that someone cares. Silly jokes. Dancing. Cool stories. Putting a smile on somebody's face.
Hmm. Space: 1999 was the '60s, right? Or was it early '70s? Hmm.
So here's the deal: I grew up on PBS ("Public Broadcasting System" for those not familiar, essentially government-subsidized TV with a mandate to educate, uplift, and improve). And one of the things PBS was known for in its day was running a lot of British TV, mainly because it was almost always smarter than American TV. So I spent a lot of afternoons/early evenings watching things like "The Saint," "The Avengers," and of course, "Doctor Who" (although I didn't see the '60s "Doctor Who" until much later, I only saw Tom Baker for years). I always used to wonder why the world was so different on these shows than it was from the world I saw around me. I knew they were from another country, of course, but there was more to it than that-- they were from a whole different mindset.
The British national culture, especially as portrayed by the BBC in the '60s and '70s, had a respect for intelligence and education (and an affinity for wit) that the U.S. culture hasn't really had since the 1950s or earlier. There is a revolting anti-rational, anti-education, just plain anti-thought strain in the U.S. culture that was always there but has been gaining visibly more prominence over the course of my lifetime. I won't say such a thing doesn't exist in British culture (not as long as Murdoch has his goddamn way), but it doesn't seem to be celebrated and held up as some sort of beautiful thing there the way it is here.
Or at least, not in '60s British TV shows. ;)
...So, that's it for now. Have a good day, all!
-The Gneech
Next: Meme time! Kyyanno posted:
7 Things
Comment to this post, and I will list seven things I want you to talk about. They might make sense or they might be totally random. Then post that list, with your commentary, to your journal. Other people can get lists from you, and the meme merrily perpetuates itself.
So here are the things he asked me to talk about:
Hats
My affinity for hats started with Raiders of the Lost Ark, which probably isn't a surprise to anyone. My first hat was a rather lackluster porkpie given to me by my grandfather, but it was kinda-sorta like a fedora so I took it and wore it. My first actually-bought-it-myself hat was a deluxe Indy in grey with a silk lining... it cost something like $40 at the time and was a huge investment of allowance money. (Now a hat of comparable quality is at least $65, if you can even find it.) I also periodically dabble in black kangols (i.e., the hat that Arthur wears in NeverNever) and have been known to wear Greek fisherman's caps (a la Ringo Starr).
Dungeons
Cast Mordenkainan's faithful watchdog before going down into these. Also, where are the Cheetohs?
Lions
My affinity for lions started with Kimba the White Lion, which was my first animation obsession. But they fit surprisingly well with my personality. All of the introverty reserve of cats, combined with a desire for an extremely tight small family unit? Eeyup. And dayum, but they're pretty. ^.^ I'm not so pretty myself, but I can wish I was.
Comics
Hmm. Not sure what to say about comics. I love comics but hate superheroes. The manga revolution in the U.S. was a great thing for me (for a while at least) because there were finally comics about something else for a change. Unfortunately, in the time since, even all manga has started feeling exactly the same as all other manga to me.
If you're talking comic strips I have more to say, but it's a big topic. I will say that they don't hold the appeal for me that they once did; I don't know if it's just the collapse of the industry, or having OD'ed during the webcomics boom, or just my tastes have changed over time.
Home
My childhood home (known affectionately as "Ogdenland" because it was on Ogden Street) doesn't exist any more; the entire 3.5 acres were bulldozed to make McMansions. I'm surprisingly un-upset by this development except for one aspect: the trees. There were some huge, beautiful, ancient trees there, and I resent that they were murdered in order for some developer to get another bajillion dollars.
Things that make you happy
Friends. :) Unexpected notes from people I like. Knowing that someone cares. Silly jokes. Dancing. Cool stories. Putting a smile on somebody's face.
60's British TV shows
Hmm. Space: 1999 was the '60s, right? Or was it early '70s? Hmm.
So here's the deal: I grew up on PBS ("Public Broadcasting System" for those not familiar, essentially government-subsidized TV with a mandate to educate, uplift, and improve). And one of the things PBS was known for in its day was running a lot of British TV, mainly because it was almost always smarter than American TV. So I spent a lot of afternoons/early evenings watching things like "The Saint," "The Avengers," and of course, "Doctor Who" (although I didn't see the '60s "Doctor Who" until much later, I only saw Tom Baker for years). I always used to wonder why the world was so different on these shows than it was from the world I saw around me. I knew they were from another country, of course, but there was more to it than that-- they were from a whole different mindset.
The British national culture, especially as portrayed by the BBC in the '60s and '70s, had a respect for intelligence and education (and an affinity for wit) that the U.S. culture hasn't really had since the 1950s or earlier. There is a revolting anti-rational, anti-education, just plain anti-thought strain in the U.S. culture that was always there but has been gaining visibly more prominence over the course of my lifetime. I won't say such a thing doesn't exist in British culture (not as long as Murdoch has his goddamn way), but it doesn't seem to be celebrated and held up as some sort of beautiful thing there the way it is here.
Or at least, not in '60s British TV shows. ;)
...So, that's it for now. Have a good day, all!
-The Gneech
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no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 02:18 pm (UTC)I remember watching Kimba back in the day. I barely remember any particular Kimba episodes. I vaguely recall one about some mean ol bully who turned out to be afraid of thunder. After school was usually Kimba, Marine Boy, Ultraman, and Speed Racer on WDCA. Dang, I kinda miss Captain 20.
Space 1999 was mid 70's. I believe it premiered in '76, since I recall we lived in MD at the time. I seem to remember how it cost a million dollars to make the first episode. I still love the show.
Now 60's Gerry Anderson non-Super Marionation would've been UFO, which went on the air in 1969 (1970 in the US). That's still one of my all time favorite scifi shows. Any time I see the ITC animation before any old movie or tv show, I expect it to be followed by the Century 21 screen and then the UFO theme.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:03 pm (UTC)Now I'm curious to what you will ask of me. ;=3
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:12 pm (UTC)Oh dear, now you're gonna give me some things!
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:16 pm (UTC)Now then, hmm...
Scooters
Travel
Biggles
Airshows
Pound Coins
James Thurber
Spies
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:22 pm (UTC)New Jersey
New York City
Puppets
Your Favorite Novel
Music
Art Shows
Ghosts
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:25 pm (UTC)Exotic Cars
Fantasy (the Genre)
London
Tigers
The U.S.
Leather Jackets
Computers
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:29 pm (UTC)What you like or don't like in gaming
Old movies
New movies
Buddha
Your favorite novel
Things that make you squee like a cheerleader
Photography
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 08:50 pm (UTC)(just attended VanouFur and didn't meet who I was trying until late at night)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 11:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 11:36 pm (UTC)"Can we roll to see if I'm getting drunk?"
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 11:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 01:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 12:49 pm (UTC)Second, halp, I need reasons to post in my journal! Only you can save mankind...er...my journal. Yes. Not really as impressive a thing, really...
no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 03:02 pm (UTC)Foxes (obvious choice is obvious)
Culinary Science
The Dark Crystal
Music
Something Few People Know About You
Your Favorite Cartoon
A Fad You Miss
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 03:18 pm (UTC)A Nifty Widget
The Diva Plavalaguna
Someplace You'd Like to Visit but Never Have
Your Favorite Moment of Being Silly
Cats and Dogs
The First Cartoon You Remember Watching
Stuffing vs. Potatoes
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 04:27 pm (UTC)Your Favorite Season and Why
You Can Laugh About It Now, But...
Greek fisherman's caps ;)
Night/Stars/The Moon
Something That's Much Better Than It Used to Be
Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate
Silly Furries
-TG
no subject
Date: 2012-03-15 07:09 pm (UTC)I...er, need an excuse to write in my LiveJournal. Care to help me out with that? ;)
I'll reply here, so here goes...
Date: 2012-03-16 02:10 am (UTC)From a young age, i just felt a connection with this particular species. They're beautiful, adaptable survivors. I liked how they were portrayed in myths, legends, and folklore all over the globe. A good friend of mine once told me, "Of all the foxes i know in the furry fandom, you're the only person i know who really reminds me of one."
Culinary Science
Alton Brown is by far my favorite TV cooking show personality. What he goes into is really the science behind how we get the food we do. Cooking is essentially Bucket Biochemistry. Understanding at a really base level why, for instance, the flour and egg and breadcrumbs either make a crispy coating on your fried porkchop, or fall off in a sodden, soggy mess, helps you get the result you want a lot more consistently.
The Dark Crystal
I've liked just about everything Jim Henson ever created. While it wasn't a commercial success, the movie did achieve a kind of cult status, especially among folks who saw it in their childhoods. When i first saw it as a little kid, i knew the Gelflings weren't exactly people, but they weren't exactly not, either, in the way the other creatures/puppets/muppets were. The movie was dark, scary at times, and beautiful.
Music
My musical tastes are broad reaching, and rather eclectic. Classical, Big Band, Blues, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, some Rap (mostly when the artists have a sense of humor larger than their ego), j-pop, folk, filk, reggae, funk, celtic, spanish guitar... About the only things i don't care for are manufactured generic, forgettable pop music, and whiny country. There's the old joke about listening to a country & western song backwards, it's an uplifting story about a guy who finds his dog, his truck, his house, his wife, his kids, and his job. Willie Nelson, however, i could listen to daily.
Something Few People Know About You
I'm not a fursuiter. Most people know that. However, I did once own a suit. Sort of. Around age 7-9 or so, i asked my mother to make me a rabbit costume for halloween. It came out quite nice, actually. White, pink ears, rather cute.
Your Favorite Cartoon
That's a tough one... Currently, it's probably Ponies, as there are hardly any shows, animated or not, that i still watch. Overall... Probably the classic WB cartoons that used to air into the early 80s, before political correctness started paring down what episodes they could show.
A Fad You Miss
Sketchbook parties at conventions. Nowadays, i'm not sure if it's because the fandom's grown, or that the circle of people i know who attend conventions has dwindled, or maybe because more of my time is spent behind the dealer tables than in front of them, it's really hard to find a circle of artistic folks and swap sketchbooks around, draw goofy, fun, silly, naughty, hilarious images. Its quite possible that these are still going on, i'm just not a part of them. Shall hafta do something about that.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-16 02:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-17 02:16 am (UTC)