The Office

I love The Office. It took me a little while to get into it, but now I'm addicted. You can't find its dry humor and unique awkwardness anywhere else. Just a quick note, it was really sad when they went from hour long episodes to half hour. I have I heart Jim post it notes and quotes from my favorite episodes litter my daily conversation and Facebook wall. With Pam and Jim finally together, I wonder how long before something goes wrong. I like the jokes they've used so far, but I think they're making Jim look like a goof a little more than in the past when he was the composed prankster. Pam's hair is down and so is the number of cute quirks she exhibits. In the last few episodes, it seems like she just keeps some of the others in check. Michael is getting characteristically dumber. Dwight and Angela's separation is upsetting, but I'm sure only temporary. Andy's attempts are wildly entertaining, as is Dwight's mourning.

This season has introduced some changes, but overall I think they're pulling it off. The question is whether or not they will continue to do so. While I feel for the writers strike, I love my shows and hope that this gets resolved quickly. I've heard it could be a while though and fear that some of my favorite shows will fail to meet their potential and be ruined.

Ask Cliff

While sitting in West Mall, helping sell books for Sigma Tau Delta, my attention was grabbed by a crowd and a loud speaker, not to mention cameras. "Ask Cliff..." has been going on for a while and will continue a while longer, but is basically a religious preacher talking to students about current secular and spiritual issues. He had a couple of specific groups there to talk and a crowd gathered to listen. I liked that he was not afraid to talk about controversial issues. He started with not taking the Lord's name in vain and discussed dinosaurs, the bible's legitimacy, specific parables/stories, sincere faith, sin, and how to find Christ.

I wish he'd been a little more kind in response to the more cynical questions he was asked, but I also admire that kind of self-confident courage. He seemed to really believe what he was talking about and discussed it in an open forum, conducive to exchange. I like that this sort of thing happens on campus and was glad I caught it, because whether or not it was what was intended, I did get something out of it.

Prison Break Fall Finale

A couple years ago I stumbled across a brilliant, good-looking character trying to break his brother out of prison. I was hooked on every plot twist and turn ever since. Fox's Prison Break isn't too highly talked about, but is in my opinion both unique and entertaining. In its third season, Michael Schofield, played by Wentworth Miller has broken his brother out of prison in the states, uncovered a government conspiracy, escaped to Panama, and landed himself back in prison. The season is taking a break now, just as he's failed to break out of Sona.

This third season has returned to the shows roots of surprises around every turn for the clever protagonist. I pride myself on being pretty good at predicting shows and characters, but this one always keeps me guessing. It won't be on again until January 14th, but left off with a cliffhanger. The show has an incredibly talented cast, whom you worry might not make it to the next episode. The introduction of James Whistler and his part has sparked my curiosity and will ensure I faithfully continue watching when Prison Break comes back on.

Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman, columnist for the New York Times and author, came to speak at UT. The room was packed in the UTC and people sat in the aisle and against the walls. I had never heard of him before, but he has a new book out called Conscience of a Liberal (pictured below). He was a very upbeat speaker, who joked cleverly about current and past events and politics. He addressed health care, foreign affairs, and economics. Obviously he's liberal, but I didn't appreciate how he talked like everyone knew what he was talking about and/or agreed.

He discussed his hopes for the next presidential election, nostalgia for past democrat leaders, as well as criticism for current republican ones. He didn't persuade me to his way of thinking, but I liked hearing his views. In his questions and answers at the end one student asked, "So you're saying the Democrats will save us?" To which he responded, "I think the Democrats might save us." His biased optimism for the future was enlightening, though not necessarily beneficial. Though moderate/apathetic myself, my skepticism kept me from jumping in with both feet.

Eternal Sunshine/Royal Tenenbaums

Being the good little Mormon girl that I am, I don't watch rated R movies. This often presents a problem in my limited options, but also in missing some pretty cool, unique concepts. My friend Geoff Yano recently acquired a few movies edited by Clean Flix, who went out of business. I watched a couple of them and wanted to include them here.

So first off, I don't know what was cut, but things generally made sense, so I guess it wasn't necessary to plot. I really liked some of the stylistic things in Royal Tenenbaums. Directed by Wes Anderson; this movie came out in 2001. The story is about a family that kind of gets brought together by the atoning father. I loved the quirky characters and their histories. The brother/sister love thing weirded me out a bit, but I liked how all of the stories intertwined. This movie was packed with big names, but not in such a Hollywood way, which I appreciated. It's one of those movies I'm glad I saw, but isn't necessarily on my favorites list.

I thought Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was surprisingly a great role for Jim Carrey. I loved the different plot lines and how they came together. Basically two lovers break up and try to erase one another from their memories, changing their minds, and trying to find one another again. I loved the scene changes and visual clues. Even though watching this movie was kind of weird emotionally, I really liked it. I felt like looking at my life afterward, appreciating the people I care about and the memories we share.

Eisley/Mutemath

A favorite indie band of mine, Eisley, came to Austin and played at La Zona Rosa with Mutemath. They're promoting their new cd Combinations. I love their harmony, different sound, family connection, etc. and was not disappointed. They played a few of their songs from Room Noises, but because of some stylistic changes to the songs I wasn't a fan. For example, in 'Marvelous Things', one of my favorite songs, they hold out the lyric 'dark night, hold tight' way too long. I really like the new songs though; it seems like they're going for a more rock feel.

To the right is a picture of the drummer, who was sporting a bow tie. I went to meet them and have them sign my ticket. Sporting my self-made Eisley shirt, I only got a second to chat with the always friendly, though often scattered band. So last time Eisley played at La Zona Rosa, which is not my favorite venue, they were headlining and the place was packed while they played. There were still a lot of people there, but more to see Mutemath. There was a definite difference in the type of person attending, though I won't go into too much detail on that. I was skeptical about this band I'd never heard before, but was quickly won over. Their attractive and charismatic lead singer busted out a keytar; their drummer climbed as high as he could while progressively getting more energetic in his playing; and there were some acrobatics and fantastic lights. Overall, I loved the show and hope to catch both bands, when/if they visit Austin again.

This is a short video I took of Eisley playing their song Invasion.

Goodnight and Goodluck

For my History of Journalism class, we're doing coverage research papers. My topic is Murrow/McCarthy. I figured a fun resource to start with would be the movie: Goodnight and Goodluck.


This movie basically follows Edward Murrow as he reports on Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist pursuits on See It Now. The title comes from his sign out phrase. George Clooney is in it and directed it. Relased in 2005, in black and white, with many recognizable faces, this movie doesn't exaggerate to create a more dynamic plot. It's actually pretty slow, with jazz/blues music to match. It not only portrays that period of history politically, but shows some of the social aspects and even the journalistic atmosphere, with side plots involving a married couple and management interference. While Goodnight and Goodluck isn't the most entertaining, exciting film, it salutes Murrow and his colleagues' courage and gives a glimpse of a world most people are unfamiliar with.

In a quote I really liked, we, especially as journalists, are reminded to continue to try to show an apathetic public what is important and affects their lives, "To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck."