Plague Stricken

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present...a literature review! Today's lucky contestant is Albert Camus' The Plague. The fictional novel, presented by a seemingly omniscient narrator (a person you later learn the identity of), tells of the months under which the city North African city of Oran was besieged by the bubonic plague through individuals, namely Dr. Bernard Rieux, journalist Raymond Rambert, and others. To be honest, the first half of the book or so was quite dull, loaded with the existentialist double meanings the novel has become known for. However, as someone reading the book for pleasure and not to derive a philosophical manifesto, I found this to be extremely boring. However, around page 160 or so, the tide turns, and while the novel doesn't become action-packed, it does start to move a lot faster. Still, I felt like the plot was not very distinguishable and that it wasn't nearly as frightening or impacting as it might've been, especially considering the topic, although apparently meant to be superfluous. So, my advice is, unless you really desire to learn some unique philosophical ideas (and don't be fooled, the existentialist metaphors are fascinating, but just make for a sloooow read), don't read this book.

On the Astros front, nothing is happening. Which is good. And bad. Good because they haven't done any dumb...stuff but bad bad because they desperately need to bolster their starting rotation. Alas. 

I have seen THREE movies in the last week or so: Gran Torino, Yes Man, and Frost/Nixon. Gran Torino, a Clint Eastwood film about a grumpy old Korea vet stuck in a neighborhood full of Asians, is a long, stretched-out way of instructing the viewers to be tolerant. While Eastwood was good, the Oscar talks are really overdone considering this movie just wasn't all that special. Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel, was a (romantic)-comedy about Carl Allen (Carrey) who, because of a self-help program, says 'yes' to everything, eventually leading him to love-of-his-life Allison (Deschanel). Parts of it were very funny, especially those with Allen's boss, played by Rhys Darby (of Flight of the Conchords fame). However, most of the movie lacked plot. All in all, an entertaining movie that passed the time. Frost/Nixon was by far the best movie I saw in the last week. Frank Langella was amazing as devilish Richard Nixon, purveying the exact characteristics that caused there to be so much animosity towards the ex-President. His counterpart, Michael Sheen, was decent as talk-show host and protagonist David Frost, but it was really Langella who stole the show and made the movie great.

Song of the Day: Peach, Plum, Pear by Joanna Newsom

Vids:

Andy Samberg (who is dating Joanna Newsom) SNL Digital Short Special!

The Mirror

Andy Punches

Dick in a Box

Welcome to December

It's December 1st!

I'm busy with school and all the complications that go with that, so all is quiet on the literature front. I'm on page 30 or so of Albert Camus' The Plague and will be 3 chapters into Hamlet by tomorrow morning...not by choice. However, the world still continues to spin. All sorts of interesting things happening with the Mumbai tragedy - apparently the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the two luxury hotels attacked, had a warning that attacks were possible, even likely. And apparently (the link has disappeared, so that could be the sign of a false source...) the U.S. warned India of an imminent terrorist attack on Mumbai weeks ago. Nonetheless, my condolences go out to the families of all those who were murdered in the attacks and to the citizens of Mumbai and India in general as well. 

In more news, Senator Hilary Clinton was named Secretary of State for the Obama administration today. I have to say, this is a shrewd political move by President-Elect Obama - should Clinton run for president in 2012 (which this appointment makes so much less likely), any criticism of President Obama will be negated by the fact that Hilary served in his cabinet. Nicely done, Barack + friends. Alongside that, I also think that the selection of Clinton was a good move for the country - appointing an extremely knowledgeable and world-savvy person (gender is really irrelevant in this case) to what has always been and will continue to be one of the most important positions in our unique government. In fact, early in our nation's history, Secretary of States often went on to become President. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, and James Buchanan all used the S of S as a stepping stone to becoming El Presidente. 

In Sports news, today is a big day for Houston teams. The Houston Texans are due to appear (very soon actually) on Monday Night Football tonight for the first time in franchise history. The Astros signed Mike Hampton to a one year, $2 million deal pending a physical, which is more than just a casual oversight in the case of such an injury prone player such as Hampton. Nice to see Uncle Drayton and the rest of the 'Stros front office going after a (relatively) cheap, high-risk, possibly high-reward pitcher. I guess. Also, the New York Giants' Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg with an illegal concealed weapon. You'd think when you're getting paid megabucks that hiring a bodyguard for a night on the town might seem like a good idea rather than carrying your own weapon that is a) illegal, b) loaded, and c) not having the safety on? I guess not to Mr. Burress.

In Blog news, the Quote of the Day has finished its short-lived existence in favor of...nothing.

Song of the Day: Moving to New York by The Wombats

Great Sports Articles by Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice - thought I'd throw in a shout-out!