Kirk Israel's commonplace and blog. Quotes and links daily since 2001.
2024.10.17
Heh, interesting to see a review of the video game Elden Ring in Harper's
2024.10.16
I really like Scottish tweets
2024.10.15

This lyric/title ("More Than This") came unbidden into my head this morning - I had to look up the song, and it was never part of my music collection.

Like wikipedia says "The song's narrator is hopeful about the existence of something more but is vaguely melancholic about there not being so", so, like, mood.

Actually more than "mood", strong sharp jag of sad.

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...I have never even considered Dr Pepper could be a person...
I'm good with my assumptions.
"I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a Pepper, we're a Pepper, wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too"
I mean, it's about as accepting as a soft drink can be!
topher
2024.10.14


Just watched Love Story. It's sweet (if very sad) even if some of the early romance feels unearned. Interesting glimpses of late 60s Cambridge. You know, stuff like "snow". (Also I always appreciate the chance to inject a Tom Lehrer "Fight Fiercely, Harvard!")

They had a line that that to rent four rooms for 8250 a month 9in Cambridge) is absolutely impossible. took me a second to realize they meant $82.50. (~$670 these days, which at least 2-4x what I'd say now, if not more.)

(IMDB'ing around I see Ali MacGraw also played a Radcliffe romantic interst in "Goodbye, Columbus". Though that's the city and not the lost spice mongering slaver dude.)

It's funny how much I resent "rate this movie" features on streaming services and IMDB. And for my own records, I have no trouble ranking stuff 1-5 stars (heavy on the 3s and 4s; 2s are some what disapointing, rare 1s I despise, 5s are like all time greats for me - and it's curved by my expectations for it) but being called to being part of a big consensus judgement goes against my sense of the world.
Today I watched Love Story and Goodbye, Columbus. Neither were super fantastic but I feel empowered.
2024.10.13
2024.10.12
I don't want to defend what Woody Allen has done, but I think it's sometimes ok to separate the art from the artist. (Though maybe it's even a little tougher with Allen... all his dialog is so distinctively him)
Kleinmann: I've never paid for sex in my life.
Prostitute: Oh, you just think you haven't.
Woody Allen, Shadows and Fog

"If I thought that there was nothing except this, I'd kill myself."
"I've thought of it. Believe me, there have been many times when my brain has said 'Why not?' I mean, there's no point to anything. But somehow my blood always said ''Live! Live!''...And I always listen to my blood.
Shadows and Fog

There's only one kind of love that lasts, that's unrequited love. It stays with you forever.
Shadows and Fog

second time this week, better to be lucky than good.

Wordle 1,211 2/6

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(spoiler: ADIEU to STAIN)
I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he's a total fascist
Gen Mike Milley on Trump

covfefe.
2024.10.11
Gen-X Humor be like - ok, first of all 10,000 is way too many spoons. And have you tried using the side of a spoon to cut maybe?
Charlie's Kitchen must be the most underrated place in Harvard Square. from the beer gardens to the street side seating to the good well priced food to the big extent of beers, it's great. I don't understand why it's less packed than the other places.