Word of the day: redolent

Just got back from Paul Verhoeven’s Hollow Man, and I don’t understand why everyone seems to be ragging on it. What’s the problem with an old-fashioned monster movie? It definitely kept my interest, unlike many other more high-minded efforts. After all, it’s not every day that you can see Elisabeth Shue sealing a gut wound with gaffer’s tape.

It’s exciting, the effects are cool, and it even follows its own (movie-style) logic. I was going to link to the movie site, but it’s another one of those obnoxious Flash-fests with nothing to offer. See the movie instead.

Quote of the day:
“In order to make an apple pie from scratch, first you must invent the universe.”
– Carl Sagan

I found something brilliant on the Mighty Big TV message boards this morning that made me feel a little better – a plan for the ousted Pagong jury to retaliate against the evil Tagi. The plan is very simple: bring some snacks to eat while watching Tribal Council. Picture it, it would be great.

Gervase: (Before taping begins) Yeah (munch munch swallow) I was really upset when you guys vot.. oh wait (swallow) Jenna, could you hand me one of those hot wings?
Jenna: Honey Mustard (chew chew) or barbecue?
Gervase: Honey Mustard, thanks. So anyway..
Greg: Sorry to butt in but Gervase, you want a Crunch bar?
Gervase: Oh no, thank you, I’ve had two already.

I’m bereft, in mourning, without even a shred of hope – my girl Colleen felt the sting of the Tagi boot tonight on Survivor. Damn those video editors who had me breathing a sigh of relief that at last Dr. Stupid would be shown the door. So much for that “whoever wins the reward challenge is next to go” rule. Now all we’re left with is five of the most venal, horrible and/or stupid people we could possibly trot in front of a camera. Not that that doesn’t have a certain fascination all its own.

Think about this: who is more evil – the evil leaders or their eager followers?

Do you love words? By this I mean, do you get a little thrill when you use exactly the correct word? People with this peculiar affliction are given to do things like obsessively come up with, say, synonyms for the word “factotum.” (This weblog didn’t get its name for nothing.) I used the word “adiposity” last night and I enjoyed myself immensely. Yes, I will be checking myself in for treatment soon.

I might as well use this moment of embarrassment to push my favorite online word tool, GuruNet. As long as you’re connected, you can get instant definitions, synonyms, web links and other cool stuff by just clicking on a word in any program. Check it out. (dogsbody, lickspittle…OK I’ll stop)

Life is too short.

It was definitely naive of me to believe that webloggers are an overwhelmingly liberal (and if not that, at least apolitical) bunch. For proof of my prejudice, check out What’s on it for me?

Quote of the day

“The big elephant sitting in the corner is that George W. Bush is simply unqualified for the job. He’s probably the least qualified person ever to be nominated by a major party … What is his accomplishment? That he’s no longer an obnoxious drunk?”

— President Reagan’s son Ron on President Bush’s son W, in the Washington Post (by way of Salon).

Sometimes I get just a little tired of always doing “the right thing.” Exhausted is the perhaps more appropriate word. Or maybe what I’m looking for is, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” Something like that.

So I was excited to find a primer on evil on the web, thanks to one of my other favorite weblogs, Barbelith. Enjoy.