TB went to see “The Hangover” last night. It’s the funniest damn movie I’ve seen in quite a while, a true classic. If you haven’t seen it, you must. In some ways its a “formula” movie in that its a bachelor party Vegas run with a bunch of great gags tied together with a loose story about getting the groom to the church on time. But it rises above the norm with hyperbolic, yet true to the spirit of, drunken asshole runnin buddy interaction. The screenwriters also captured what it means to black out and keep partying for hours better than it has ever been done on screen. The movie follows the ARB’s challenge in backtracking the previous night to unravel the mess they find themselves in when they awaken. None of the boys can remember anything beyond the vaguest details, but their investigation incrementally reveals what happened before tying up almost all of the loose ends at the conclusion. And Alan is one of the best characters I have ever seen. For those who know him, think Huck as an idiot savant. Go see it.
The “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico will reach the size of New Jersey this year.
Have you ever heard of Tommy Douglas? He was a Baptist minister, a Canadian politician and Kiefer Southerland’s grandfather. In 2004 he was voted The Greatest Canadian by television viewers in that country. He is the father of their national health care system.
Speaking of which, a prediction: a grandly named health care reform bill will be passed this summer. Democrats will hail it as a major victory and Republicans will gnash their teeth, pull their hair and wail that it is the end of the world as we know it. But single payer is already off the table and the “public option” will not be in the bill. Therefore, consumers like you and me will see no benefit, insurance profits will continue to soar and the Democrats will suffer at the polls for the next two cycles and they will have earned it.
I’m going on vacation in August but have not decided where yet. The only thing I’m sure of is it will be west of the Mississippi River, probably west of the central time zone. But desert, coast or mountains….how can I choose only one? A better question, how can I choose two or even all three?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated this year to be the size of Texas.
I’m fascinated by the mass uprising fomenting in Iran. I am not convinced the people will prevail, in fact I am certain they will not. Then again, I thought the same thing just before the Berlin Wall came down. Then again, I thought the same thing during the Tiananmen Square protests. I also wonder, if the “moderates” somehow take over will they be any better from the American perspective? It is really an interesting situation and unfortunately one about which I am almost completely uninformed.
I’d like to go drinkin but the hangovers hurt more than they used to, you know?
Heading to Atlanta tomorrow morning for a couple of days instead.
Quote of the Day:
Alan–Counting cards isn’t illegal. It’s frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane.”
Phil–I’m pretty sure that’s illegal too.
Alan–Ever since 9/11 when everyone got so damn sensitive. Thanks a lot Bin Laden.
“The Hangover”
Travellinbaen 
Zach Galifinakis is a genius. He’s one of the so called alternative comics, along with guys like Patton Oswalt and Brain Posehn. His style is different than their’s but he is in that same crew. He’s in the Comedians of Comedy documentary with the two of them, and I highly recommend it. He also played a character on the Comedy Central show, Dog Bites Man, by the name of Alan Finger. The show was all improv essentially. He tells the following joke:
ZG:Knock, Knock
Other Guy: Who’s There?
ZG: Ming Lau
OG:Ming Lau who?
ZG: Ming Lau is the village my uncle was killed in during Vietnam……..I forgot that wasn’t funny.
As for Iran, the moderates coming in will most likely not be the exact thing we want, but for me that’s not the point. These people clearly got had (I mean come on, they announced the results before the voting actually finished and none of the candidates even came close to beating Ahmedinajad in their own home states/regions) and I’m mostly proud of them for taking it to the streets and not just lying down. I don’t know if they will prevail, but they are out and fighting for what is theirs, and that is beautiful. I’ve been following the huffington post’s live blog and have seen and read some pretty disturbing things. I saw a video this morning of one protestor being shot. The basiji’s are just going after anyone at anytime just for peacefully protesting. They aren’t just going after those causing trouble. They went into Tehran University and stormed student’s rooms beating and stabbing them while setting their rooms on fire. It’s utterly horrifying.
I just hope what’s happening there will open American’s eyes in relation to Iran, and realize that these people are like us. Iran is not Ahmadinejad and Khamenei, they are a passionate people who, largely, want what we want, both from their lives and their governments.
You should check out the Daily Show correspondent Jason Jones’ stories he’s done from there over the last week. They are pretty funny and a nice peak at Iranian people.
Good info Irv.
On Iran, I’ve been reading some of the Huff Post stuff, but not following closely. I am assuming the violent crackdown will work, like it did with China and Tiananmen. The main difference in Europe in the 80’s is there was no crackdown. Of course, they are different circumstances so I am aware my comparisons are of minimal applicability. Setting aside the question of what happens if the protesters win, I am wondering if they can get enough police or military on their side, or for a result that will truly signify nothing, the Ayatollah.
I didn’t know where Zack/Alan came from and appreciate the background. That dude is freakin awesome, and ps, employs the blank stare to great effect.
His blank stare is one of the best. And his stand-up is great. I’m glad this movie is finally giving him some mainstream exposure. He deserves it.
I actually read a column, I think yesterday (could’ve been today, I’ve been reading a lot about the situation there, I’m pretty intrigued), that addresss the Tiananmen Square comparison. They were pointing out how in China the youth had no idea how to organize their resistance because they had no leaders with any experience in such action. The difference being that in Iran the opposition most certainly knows how to do this since Mousavi et al, participated in the 1979 revolution. They know what to expect. Violence will come no matter what they do and I think, or I hope, that those in the streets accept this and understand that sometimes, to get what you want and change history, you have to be willing to risk it all. Whether or not they will remains to be seen, but we are a country that knows if you take the chance you can win. That’s why we exist. I suppose I’m just moved by all of it.
Check this out, Galifianakis is pretty good.
I just saw a video of 5 Iranian students being hanged. Guess who they are against?
As much as I know American involvement will not help, it is time for us as a nation to make a statement about the violence.
My gourd, I love random stuff. Sometimes it’s the only way to go. Because, ya, hangovers hurt a lot more than they used to.
irvineredd, I share your concern and sentiment about Iran. I once studied in Germany on a college scholarship (well, I was enrolled in a university in Germany; not much studying occurred) and my suitemate was an Iranian student. He talked a great deal about how Iran is a pro-Western citizenry ruled by fundamentalist Islamic clerics. In other words, if the Islamic council could be overthrown and a parliamentary system put in place, we really would see democracy in the Middle East. I think of that guy every time I read the news about Iran.
TB Great and very informative random post! I have never heard of Tommy Douglas..well the truth is I probably haven’t heard of lots of people..so the more you enlighten me the more I can know. Thank you.
A vacation sounds delightful..I can’t wait to find out where you decided to go, and what lead you to choose that location.
irvineredd & tdw, I too share your sentiment regarding Iran. I was literally shocked by the upheaval, not expecting it at all..it was a beautiful thing to witness. I hope their efforts are not done so in vain.
I’m leaving this comment just so my dear friend TB can see that Bigfoot is back — at least when it comes to politics.
I am watching the Iran thing very closely. I do not think anyone in this country or the west has any idea what will happen. The thing appears to be pretty unprecedented in that part of the world. Now that the protests have grown to question the entire structure and not just the election of a largely figure head president, I think the outcome could be a game changer in the region.
Iraq is no longer a threat, Iran is sitting on tons of oil, but Iran’s economy sucks and they have no freedom. Without Iraq or the US as an enemy. How do they keep the people from wanting something better in life instead of some fight with Jews or nuclear weapons? (I will actually give Obama credit for laying back on this. We really can’t help they have got to do this themselves). It will take some of the police or part of the army to take the protest side for them to win.
I agree that the dictators probably win but they will be weaker.
We picked up one of these magazines while we were at the coast this weekend, I thought you might like to peek through one.