Dictum Ridiculum - September 2002

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Dictum Ridiculum: September 2002

Archived rants and raves from the main page of the Colin Campbell Network.

Monday, September 23, 2002
Somthing You Should Know
Once upon a time, the Walt Disney Company approached music icon Sting and asked him to write songs and music for one of their big-time animated feature films. Sting said yes, he'd love to work on Kingdom of the Sun.
What's that? You don't remember Kingdom of the Sun? Oh, that's because about half-way through making it, Disney decided to junk what Sting had done, and instead go in the proverbial "different direction." That direction was toward the David Spade character ... and movie eventually became the hit film, The Emperor's New Groove.
But due to what I can only guess must have been part of his contract, Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, had been given all kinds of access to make a documentary about the making of Kingdom of the Sun. And she did -- capturing the moment, in fact, when one of the film's producers calls Sting to tell him that his work is going to have to be scrapped. Sting stuck it out, and one of his contributions, "My Funny Friend and Me" was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and an Oscar. So there.
But Trudie's film is much more than just a Sting-centric look at an animated classic that might have been. It's a fascinating look at the process by which Disney creates, then breaks down, then re-creates ideas before releasing them to the public.
This movie is called The Sweatbox, and it's finally showing in a theatre.
Yes, New Groove came out more than two years ago, but The Sweatbox just opened at the Beverly Center Cinema for an Academy Award-qualifying run. It's there now, but I have no idea how long it will be around. (There's slightly more information in this article from the Animation World Network.)
If you have any interest in animation, Disney, Sting, the process of making movies, Peru, llamas, or, strangely, Eartha Kitt, you'd do well to get your butt down to the Beverly Center, ASAP. There's an awful lot of raw Disney animation in the film, and plenty of finished stuff too, which, I would guess, would make a home video or DVD release a clips clearance nightmare. (Right, Mrs. Chelios?) So see it while you can!
Transmitted 10:23 PM PST | Link |

Thursday, September 19, 2002
I Didn't Want To Go To My Ten Billionth High School Reunion Anyway
And if this Stanford researcher is correct, that won't be an option, since his team now says our 'Runaway universe' may collapse in 10 billion years.
And just when I thought it was safe to go ahead and make plans for the year 10,000,001,985.
Well, maybe they'll be off by a couple million years, and I'll make it to my ten billionth year high school reunion after all.
I don't know a lot of people who are ambivalent about high school reunions. Most people either really seem to be in to them, or really abhor the thought of attending. Is it related to a person's high school experience? I had a great time, therefore, I am interested in reunion-ing? Maybe.
But whether it's trying to wrap my brain around the concept of ten billion years ... or simply the fact that X number of years have gone by since I graduated high school ... I find both of those numbers to be exceedingly high. C'est la vie.
Transmitted 10:44 PM PST | Link |

Monday, September 16, 2002
Getting Back to "Normal"
I promised this entry a while ago, but now seemed like the right time to post it. It’s been a year and a couple of days since the awful events of September 11th, 2001. And yet, today, America is still caught up in an unprecedented jingoistic fusillade.
Here’s my shot back.
It comes in the form of a letter I wrote to the L.A. Dodgers about an incident which happened earlier this year. I’ll let you know if I hear back from them.
Oh, and remember: If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
(Excerpt from L.A. Dodgers letter begins here)
Earlier this year, as I have many times, I stopped by Arby’s, and bought a bag of roast beef sandwiches, and a Coke. (Coke, official sponsor of the Dodgers.) When I tried to enter the stadium, Security Officer “A” stopped me. “You can’t bring that in here,” he said, pointing to my Coke.
“Uh, excuse me?” said I, not understanding, since I had done this dozens of times before.
“You have to pour that Coke out,” said Officer A.
“Why’s that?” said I.
“September 11th,” said Officer A.
Gee, I remember September 11th. I remember an actual terrorist attack, where actual people died. About 3,000, if I recall. I don’t remember a Coke being used in the attacks though, and I HATE when people try to justify unjustifiable actions by saying, simply, “September 11th,” as though that covers everything, and explains all.
It should be pointed out that the Coke in question was in a clear plastic cup. You could see it, along with the ice. I opened the clear plastic top. I drank a sip to show that it was, in fact, Coke (official sponsor of the Dodgers).
Officer A was having none of it. I asked to talk to his boss. Officer B was impatient and rude. “Sir,” I said politely, because I truly do recognize these guys have a tough job, and I do have a certain respect for authority, “why can’t I bring my Coke in to Dodger Stadium? And what does September 11th have to do with it?”
Officer B was upset. He raised his voice, and said to me, as though I were an idiot, “Haven’t you heard of liquid explosives????!!!”
Well, I have heard of them, of course, but I didn’t have any with me, just a Coke and a bag of sandwiches.
Drinking the suspicious, caramel-colored and fizzy beverage in the officer’s presence did nothing to calm his fears of what the liquid might actually be. I eventually had to pour the whole thing out. “Okay, now can I go in, and at least fill my (clear, plastic) cup with water?”
“Uh … you’re not supposed to take that cup in, either…” said Officer B. That was enough for me. Not wanted to cause any further problems, I tossed the cup, and finally entered the stadium.
Far be it from me to suggest that the spectre of September 11th is being used in any way, shape, or form to increase on-site beverage sales (and revenues) at Dodger Stadium. I will leave that to the much more cynical than I.
But I will say it was certainly interesting to me that between these two guards who were ostensibly so concerned about security that I had to dump my fizzy beverage in the trash, neither of them ever looked at, touched, opened, or inspected in any way the rather large and lumpy looking closed paper bag I was carrying. Thank God it only contained four roast beef sandwiches. And Horsey Sauce. Who knows what havoc I could have wreaked?

Transmitted 12:50 AM PST | Link |

Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Remember
So I spent the evening of this most terrible anniversary at a Barnes and Noble bookstore, down at the new Grove shopping center, listening to authors read from the new collection,
September 11: West Coast Writers Approach Ground Zero. The big attraction for me was the always entertaining (and often controversial) Harlan Ellison. Ellison did not disappoint, although at one time, he complained about a lack of response from the crowd by saying we were as tough an audience “as the Christian Science reading room.” That loosened us up a bit, and the rest of his presentation was met with what, to his ears, was an appropriate response. Harlan’s take on 9/11 was uniquely Harlan, a tale of ego and outrage, the kind of tale he tells best. It was magnificently enjoyable.
As I left the reading, the parking attendant offered me a free U.S. car flag. They were giving them out tonight at the Grove. For some reason, it just didn’t feel right to take one. And I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps it has to do with my feelings about patriotism versus my feelings about “Patriotism™.” While I have no problem with the former, I find myself rather repulsed by the packaging and selling that has accompanied the latter. I’ve watched exactly zero television today, and while that puts me in rather uncomfortable company with First Lady Laura Bush (who urged just such a tune-out), I feel very good about that.
In fact, when it comes time to express my true patriotism, I’m going to do something I always do, and something I’ve found has added significance since the terror attacks.
I’m going to vote.
Now, granted, that’s not until November, but when I step in that polling place, when I select my candidates, and vote on various ballot measures, I will feel an enormous surge of pride (just as I did last November). It is at that moment I will feel most in touch with my rights as a citizen of this republic. (And yeah, I know there’s only about a thousand different cynical ways of criticizing that feeling, but who cares? It’s my feeling, not yours, and I’m gonna feel it.)
If everyone who engaged in a public display of “Patriotism™” would be similarly inclined to actually exercise their rights on Election Day, I’m guessing voter participation percentages would shoot up.
So, that’s my challenge to you on this September 11th. Send a message to those who hate us by exercising the constitutional privileges that we hold most precious. Live your freedom. Use your rights. This November, vote, and do your part to take a stand for liberty.
Transmitted 10:52 PM PST | Link |

Monday, September 9, 2002
Back From Vacation, Under Protest
I mean, if you could stay in Maui for longer, wouldn't you?

Look for a more lengthy update on my Maui adventure, coming soon. (And sorry for the lack of website updates. I didn't seek out 'net access in paradise.)
Transmitted 10:58 PM PST | Link |

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