January 2008
You are browsing the archive for January 2008.
fourteen years ago today
I was lying in bed, when I felt a blast and saw a series of bright flashes. The bed shook violently, the dresser came crashing down–the oven literally split in two. As a second blast hit, and then another, I became aware of a loud announcement, emanating from the street: “You have violated a protected […]
Not To Be Confused With Splenda® Brand Sweetener
5,000 years in 11 days? This sort of hyper-efficiency is exactly why China is overtaking us as a global superpower. If only Richard Thompson had more stamina….
I want to strike forever
That’s how this inflammatory quote from today’s Hollywood Reporter makes me feel: Meanwhile, studio negotiators must grapple with their own knotty dilemma in deciding when, and how, to resume negotiations with the WGA. As one management-side source put it, “The tough question is how do you reward the DGA for good behavior and not the […]
my all-time favorite cereal
My wife and daughter are away in Mexico and I’ve had three bowls of Cocoa Pebbles so far today. It’s a fine cereal but it can’t hold a candle to Rice Krinkles, a cereal that was discontinued sometime in my late teens, I think. Both are Post products, seemingly made from similar “molds,” but Rice […]
Asimov Resurrected
An anonymous reader of Salt in Wound sent me this update on the Isaac Asimov Super Quiz situation. She so wished to remain anonymous that she wouldn’t even post this as an anonymous comment. Q: What quiz is returning? A: Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz returns to the Times Union comics pages on Monday, Jan. 21. […]
One Thing Considered
I’m new here, and I’d like to start with a confession: I don’t listen to public radio. This is somewhat of a shock, because I definitely fit public radio’s target demographic—smug weaklings. Close friends have tried to sway me, mentioning fascinating tidbits they’ve heard on This American Life, and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and […]
"Bernie Berlitz" part one
Several months ago, Juan, a man very beloved to John and I for his stone wall building at our house, saw Isa as we were on our way out and he said (in Spanish) “Hello, Isabella! How are you!” She stared at him blankly. I nudged her. “Isa, aren’t you going to respond?” I said.“I […]
cluster bombs before the peace
Chatter is increasing, the DGA and management may be close to a deal. So the studios take the opportunity to cut loose a bunch of writers. They know, as soon as this settles, they’ll no longer be able to claim force majeure. So it’s last call, belly up to the bar, boys. Like Israel dropping […]
The State of the Strike
The DGA and management are negotiating. Meanwhile, the WGA keeps making deals with companies looking for a competitive edge. So pressure is being exerted from both sides. Ken Ziffren, the universally respected entertainment lawyer who played a big part in resolving the 1988 dispute, has stepped in as the directors’ lead negotiator. The Oscars are […]
Elmer Dessens
Between 1996 and 1998, Elmer Dessens was 2-8 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, with an ERA above 6.00. He didn’t pitch all that often, but for some reason, probably because of his first name, I seized on him as emblematic of the team’s futility. Ten years and five teams later, at age 36, with a lifetime […]
Jack Silbert, curator