The Week Of:
3 May, 1999
Submitted By: Rox
"Can Star Wars, The Phantom Menace Live Up To The Hype?
Will You See It?"
or anything else you'd like to talk about...
If anyone can pull this off it would be George Lucas. We're not talking about Speed 2 here. You've got to pay the $7.50 just to see Samuel L. Jackson as a Jedi Knight.
--RobbaD
Of course I'll see it, but I ain't waiting in line for 4 hours like I did when I was six. There's no way this film can live up to the hype, except for the terminally nerdy foolios that spent hours in line last night waiting for the midnight run on new toys. What a depressing bunch of freaks!
'I'm going to wear my Darth Vader mask to Buy Me Toys on my 28th birthday and buy the new action figures! Oh, and a case of Magic the Gathering
cards series 27...'
Of course, these are probably the same people that lament the demise of our culture and use as example people like me that spend all night drinking beer and shooting pool and checking out girlie-girls. I guess it's all perspective...
I still ain't waiting in that fuckin' line.
--Andy
i'm not sure if anything can live up to the initial and since
on-going hype of the original three Star Wars flicks, but just to be sure, yep, i'll go see it with my kids.......definitely a "front row" kind of flick!.......light sabers and jedi's rule!!! late,
--the white guy
Yes it will live up to the hype. A 15 year waiting period for a sequel, Lucas wouldn't do it if it wasn't done right. I will see it multiple times. Even if it is not the greatest, it will still break all box office records, because everyone will see it at least once.
--Saul
You know, I don't think that the new movie will be as good as the hype. Look at the remakes of the other 3 Star Wars movies. I mean, did they suck or what? I'm hoping that I am wrong and the movie will kick ass, but it would be a real letdown if it sucked. I'm sure I'll end up seeing it 5 months after opening day because of all those fucking losers who started camping out in front of the theatres 2 months ago...
--Hate Dept.
Dear Bahb,
Won't matter. At this rate you won't be able to see it until sometime in '00. Your chances of getting into that movie on opening day will be like breaking into the fucking White House and smellin' up Hillary's leapord thong undies...near astronomical.
This monster will has so much momentum behind
it, even if it sucked harder than Keanu Reeves' band, it would still gross more than the GNP of all of western europe.
"Hand over my light saber - it's the one that says 'bad ass motherfucker'"
-Samuel Jackson
--A
Previous Topics:
26 April, 1999
Submitted by: Shawn
"Is rock dead?
If so when did it die?"
nope, just ask the girls......
--the white guy
ROCK WILL NEVER DIE!!!
--CZ
"Rock" is not dead. It has only been candy-coated and re-packaged for the new millennium, kinda like say M&M's or heroin... Fear not, for we shall one day offer 5 university level credits for 'The rise and fall of Rock-MU101'.
--A
I don't believe that rock is dead. It just goes into hibernation
every now and then. Every decade has it's hand full of pioneer's and prisoner's. Those who take that step and push the envelope a little further with sucess (some not so sucessful) and those who put out the same thing that feeds the machine. It's hard to say who will make the lasting impression from today since rock is a relatively new genre in music (less than 50 years). Jimi's music is still inspiring 30 years later to multiple generations. Will Nirvana's music still be inspiring in 30 years?
By the way Bahb, did you see that Rolling Stone voted Kurt the artist of the decade?
--RobbaD
I paraphrase...."This genre needs an enema"
"Rock" as the dominant social paradigm, is deeply comatose.
The machine (The record companies, and their submissive sex slave--Corporate Radio) that Rahb (and Art A.) refers to has actually put the gun to its head and pulled the trigger...the body is bleeding and now slowly turning cold.
Corporate radio is doing the safety dance...shareholders want returns, and returns need guaranteed revenue...twenty different artists that sound the same prevent the audience from changing frequencies...BAA!!!!!
The upside to this is that college radio and the clubs will begin to re-assert their importance in the scene...
The cynic in me is silently happy. Morons are throwing countless dollars away on musical cellophane. Fuck 'em all...
Back to task... Somewhere underneath this sea of drool there are people (with ability-I hope) that are as pissed off as I am, that will hopefully be given the opportunity to artisically express themselves. "Nevermind" and 1991 was a long time ago. Sadly Thom Yorke et al and some in the Electronic scene seem to be the sole drivers of creativity right now...
Eh...at least I still have Mozart and Beethoven.
--Rox
I hate the idea of 'genre'lizing music at all, but I tend to agree that for the most part rock is hibernating. I think it went out with the LP.
--waive
19 April, 1999
Submitted by: Rox
"Who presents the biggest destabilizing threat to the world:
Saddam Hussein, Slobodan Milosevic or Keanu Reeves? Why?"
Keanu Reeves. And to quote this thespian great, Whoa."
--Robba D
Keanu is definitely the anti-Elvis. Two words: Alex Winter.
--Andy
(Much love to Andy for remembering the funny half of the human Beavis and Butthead. I felt it was a shame that Alex's MTV project went into the crapper after 6 shows--Rox)
Keanu (sp?) Reeves has to be the #1 threat to our world today.
I mean, his movies are shipped worldwide, thus exposing millions to his horrible acting uh, abilities.
Whoa.
--Sleepless in DVC
I must admit that before I wrote this response, I went and saw the "The Matrix".
While both Huessein and Milosevic are both genocidal autocratic madmen, Keanu represents a bigger problem. Two bullets could take of the former who are both loathed in the world community. Keanu on the other hand affects the lives of millions with horrid acting hidden behind the frail patina of genetics.
All three of these morons recline on their advisors for solid counsel and support. The politicians...eh...fuck 'em. They are led by some clouded vision of where they want to take their respective countries and also are clinging to power the only way that they can. Keanu listens to his agent, and says "Sure...That part is within my range" without knowing that he is horribly out of his class.
All three effect the world. Hussein and Milosevic are murderers of the living. Keanu kills off hope in the millions who see his films and ask "Why did we watch THIS!"
--Rox
First of all, let me say I'm never getting laid again.
Keeaaanuu has ruined it for every guy on this planet (thanx for thah topic, Bahb), and every pop-culture movie going jerkoff on the planet seems to think he's cooler than ice. Have you ever heard him talk when he doesn't have scripted lines to say? The guy is a fucking moron. His face and his on-screen attitude have brought him to a new level of pop fame. Will somebody please say the word 'editing'?
Eventually the big K will have to grow old and be a better actor, hence the end of his reign as leader of the jerk-offs. There's a hundred more guys to take his place-sorry Bahb.
--Bad Monkey
12 April, 1999
Submitted by: Rox
"What's the Bigger Nightmare:
Having to poo, or having to pee while stuck in traffic?"
#2 in traffic is worse.
Even, if by some miracle, you find a spot to pull over and do it, there is usually no paper and you end up using a map, a newspaper, or even some foliage which you hope, by the pictures in your high school biology book, is not poison oak.
--Shawn
Having to POO!!
no doubt about it. Maybe for a girl, having to pee would be a bigger deal, but having to drop the kids off at the pool can be serious business.....especially if one ate some greasy stuff.
--Saul
Where's a clothes pin when you need one. I think it's got to be having to pee. There's only so much that tappin' your foot like Thumper and squeezing your thighs together can do. A Bowel movement for the most part is more controlable and can be held off for as many as 2 days (I know from personal experience). It's not very comfortable but it can be done.
--Rahb
I find the stomach cramps I endure when I have to deficate are worse than crossing my legs to keep from urinating.
--CZ
i have to disagree with rahb on this one.
shitting is normally a very pleasurable experience and when i gots to drop a bomb...there ain't nothing gettin' in my way.
urinating for a man is such an easy thing to remedy. shit, i can't tell you how many water and gatorade bottles i relieved myself in across this great land of ours in the last five weeks. when you gotta poo and you can't though, you start thinking about the sensuality of it all and the drool starts flowin'...you're doubled over in pain thinking that you're about to re-live some
experiences from your yesteryear.
i don't know man. i just don't get that kind of pain with the bladder. sorry.
--antoine
When I travel, I feel that fluid waste presents a greater short-term challenge than the solid variety. This is true because of my somewhat above normal caffeine intake which unfortunately does nothing but increase the challenge of proper solid waste control as well (a vicious circle n'est-ce pas?).
However, I think that fluids can be eliminated more readily (see Mike Watt's Piss Bottle Man for supporting evidence) and solids present more of a long-term challenge which require above average muscle control and a well-honed mind in order to effectively resolve.
Like most of life, I feel that a proper balance must be acheived in all areas, and pro-active planning can prevent any challenge from becoming too significant.
Any of you who ever went to the Terminator know exactly what I'm referring to here.
--Rox
Dear Bahb,
Not that I have to worry about it because of the superb body control I have and the fact that I am extreamly organized and would never be caught in this situation, but seeing that I'm always full of shit, I think having to wee is the bigger worry...
Gotta go, gotta tinkle.
--A
#2.
--waive
5 April, 1999
Submitted by: Fazibear
"Is there any real justification for the higher gas prices, or is it just a money ploy by gas companies?"
I have but one quote, "Do people really care........People do." FUCK YOU CHEVRON AND EVERY OTHER OIL COMPANY! You are the epitome of greed.
Two refineries have explosions because of their negligence and we the consumer pay for it. Is this that law of supply and demand or the law of corporations bending us over like Marcelous Wallace in the basement scene from Pulp Fiction?
Gas Out April 30th.
(Power to the people Bahb, I know you hate that hippy John Lennon bullshit).
--Robba D
It has to be some kind of ploy. There is no way everyone could boycott gas, to make them lower the prices.
--Saul
Our company just hired a guy from illinois who says the price of unleaded is about $1.05. It seems that only in CA are we being screwed. remember to wear a condom when filling up!!
--Shawn
Lucy....'splain this to me...
Why is it that we in the Bay Area deal with the stench coming from Martinez, Benicia, and Richmond refineries, and yet are paying the most exhorbitant prices for oil this side of Hawaii?
Whew!!! Having vented, I can calm down now.
To answer the question, yes I think there is a level of justification for the increase in prices.
If what we are really dealing with as Rob has mentioned is a short-term supply problem, then prices should return to normal relatively quickly, and there is no problem.
However, I feel that we are being singled out in the Bay Area. Some of it may have to do with local clean air regulations, but I doubt it. Routinely one can drive 75 miles to Sacramento and find prices at the pump an average of 30 cents lower than in the Bay. I don't know why this is, and to be honest it is quite frustrating. I would say that there is is some profit-driven motive for this, but Big Brother alone can not be the sole reason behind it.
The bigger issue is that for the last seven years our country (The US) has seen a period of unparalled economic growth that has been supported by dramatically reduced energy and transportation costs. The dollar value of crude oil has held fairly steady since the early 90's. Was this collusion and pay-back for sending our troops over to blow up Iraqi's and help stabilize the region? Don't know, but the timing is right.
In addition to the local reifnery accidents, OPEC decided two weeks ago to cut their production of crude oil in an effort to bolster the price and increase their revenue. According to the release I read, Saudi Arabia alone had 25% less oil-generated revenue in F'98 than in F'97 so this decision on their part does make sense. The mid-east is for the most part a "one crop" economy, and must do what they need to do in order to take care of their people.
If it was wheat in Kansas, or rice and tomatoes in the central valley of Califorina, our farmers would respond in much the same manner, would they not? And we would justify the decision on social grounds while grinning and bearing it economically.
Why then do we not understand or support the OPEC decision? Is it good old "Arab Hating?" If you were an OPEC Minister and it was your decision to make and affected your citizens, what would you do?
Yes there is also a corporate greed component to this as well. Duh! This is America, after all. Corporations have one job: Make money for their investors, and generate revenue for future growth. How many of us are involved in mutual funds that hold petroleum stocks? Will we divest as a means to make a statement? Probably not, because we enjoy the dividends that these investments earn for us.
The bottom line is that yes oil prices will go up, and yes every facet of our domestic and international economies will suffer. What will we do to mitigate this change? Will we continue to bitch?
Will we move away from the best place to live on earth in order to have cheap gas prices? Probably not, as the Bay Area is a pretty damn cool physical environment in which to reside.
Will we continue to purchase large fuel-inefficient vehicles and ignore public transit or walking? Probably not, because it's fun to go where we want, when we want, and look down at every one else from a large tank-like truck that's fun to drive.
Will we reduce our consumption? I'm not talking about a one day boycott that whave a negligible effect on the oil companies as we'll either buy the day before or the day after in which case they still get paid. I'm talking about lasting personal change. Can we do that? Now, probably not, because with a robust economy, and lots of loose cash, it's easier to pay the bills than make tough decisions. However if the economy starts going into the shitter as a result of this, many of us will be forced to change, at a time and place that is not of our choosing. Then we really will need that condom Shawn mentions, and about 55 gallons of Astroglide to go with it. And I also wouldn't expect even the common courtesy of a "reach around" either.
As always the tough part is not identifying the problem, but rather determning the best solution. And that decision as always is up to us.
This problem will have spin off effects in all areas of the world, and with economic turmoil often comes political and military instability. Before we make our decision about what is "right" and what is "fair", we must consider those factors as well. War is about economic control. If we demand lower prices will that destabilize a weak region even further? Will military force be required to resolve it? Do we have the balls to make the tough long-term choice?
I feel that OPEC and the oil companies will continue do what is in their best interests, and we need to focus on how to adapt to this change. If the domestic oil companies are guilty of price fixing, then Uncle Sam will screw them and their respective Boards of Directors to the wall.
If OPEC is being unfair, then we will find other sources of oil (and no, I'm not even going to get into the environmental issues involved, as I've already spent too much writing this).
Nature favors equilibrium, and though we may suffer in the short term, stability will result in the long. The media fails to note this as it's not as sensational as photos of self-absorbed irate consumers at the pump are.
If you give a shit enough to do or say something, click on one of the links below to go to the various websites and send email. Bitching alone won't change a God-Damned thing people.
--Rox
easy answer.....the corporate monsters who don't give a damn about what the consumer needs to survive are artificially claiming lack of supply, simply to raise the price due to demand.....what a load of crap, there can be no more demand than there already is....just because the oil companies force their employees to work in a dangerous and unsafe environment, leading to explosion and death, gives them no right to screw joe public......yet, i guess they have to earn some up front "$$$" they will need to pay off on all the upcoming wrongful death lawsuits......bitter????
damn right!
i'm tired of paying $35 to fill up the tank! late,
--the white guy
Obviously, with two refineries out of commission, that is as good of an excuse as any to raise gas prices, but surely there are plenty of refineries in California that could keep the supply up and profit themselves, but, isn't that what they are doing?
--CZThe OPEC Home Page
The World Of Chevron
Count on Shell HOME
Welcome To ARCO Online
29 March, 1999
Submitted by: Rox
"The Easter Bunny:
Tame Holiday Icon Or
Menacing Symbol For Inter-Species Pedophilia? Why?"
I figure the Easter Bunny as fairly tame.
I mean talk about your menacing symbols, if you want horrific, look at the Tooth Fairy.
This fiend comes to kids in the night and takes their cavity ridden teeth. The scary part is that no one the fuck knows what he does with them after...
~~waivey
Why can't you hear rabbits when they're fucking?
Because the males have cotton balls.
--RobbaD
Okay...
Enough of this "ice cream and puppy dog" bullshit...
What would YOU call something that spends its time hiding treats for unsuspecting youth, then hands out candy and asks thousands of children to sit on its lap and have photos taken with it at malls every year?
Hmmmmmmm?
Do the math people...the thing IS a menace...and we damn well better do SOMETHING about it before it continues to abuse our children.
Take back the Spring!
--Rox
Dear Bahb,
Don't fuck with the bunny!
He's the only one I still believe in!
He is our symbol for world peace and brotherly (and sisterly) love in these hard times of moral decadence. He stands for honesty, morality, courage and solid dark chocolate bunnies everywhere! (NOT the cheap Wal-Mart hole-in-center, waxy-milk-chocolate, looks-like-a-mutated-irradiated-bikini-island bunny!). How can we even contemplate the possibility of evil coursing through his soft, fuzzy, pink veins?!?SHAME ON YOU!...bad person you!--Amado (A true believer!)
22 March, 1999
Submitted by: Rox
"What, if anything, did you give up for Lent?"
Sex.
But I give that up every week. Looking for offers to give it up as I am not THAT religious!!!
--Shawn
Lent.
--Sup
I generally give my sanity up every year about this time.
Funny thing though, when I get it back around Easter, it never seems to be as much as I lost the month before...
--waive
Auto-Erotic Stimulation.
And was proud that I almost made it all the way through Ash Wednesday...(does my failure mean that I'm now going to hell? Or is it that I'll instead be doomed to shaving my palms TWICE a day?)
--Rox
Lent...I must confess that I haven't even thought about it. Such a good Catholic that I am... Well I guess I'll take a rain check on it. I'll put that in the same place I put my new year's resolution...(as I sit here, waiting for the lightning bolts to arrive...)
--A
I didin't give anything up because this entire academic year has been marked by steady fasting and intense reflection and discernment.
--IG
I haven't actively participated in Lent since I was in the eighth grade. Pretty sad for a kid who went to Catholic school from 1st grade through senior year (high school). I was even an alter boy for a year. I don't recomend trying to hold in your laughter serving a funeral when your friend makes a joke. That was the longest hour of my life and a tounge lashing from the priest that I'll never forget.
--Robba D
(Hmm....alter boy...tongue lashing from a priest...nah...it'd be cliche--Rox)
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